Democratic systems are not rigid; they are constantly changing. New technologies change our information flow; global events influence politics. Rarely, however, has change been as noticeable as it is now. Generative AI can already create and distribute new, high-quality content independently. Chatbots and deep fakes also open new possibilities for manipulating information and influencing public opinion.
In this context, the Austrian Parliament's Advisory Council for Foresight and Technology Assessment has commissioned the Institute of Technology Assessment at the Austrian Academy of Sciences to study the potential impact of new AI applications on society, politics and democracy. The MPs want to know how democracy can deal with the new possibilities arising from the applications of generative AI and how such manipulations can be recognised in the first place.
The short study commissioned by Parliament will discuss topics such as digital sovereignty, hybrid threats, AI cybercrime and options for dealing with AI. At the request of MPs, the study will address the problematic aspects of deep fakes for individuals, including possibly discrediting or even blackmailing political officeholders. However, the study will look at the risks for political opinion-forming and public discourse and discuss possible opportunities and visions for democracy.