We conduct democratic elections by means of machines, form our opinions about world events thorough the internet and virtually do not exist if our data does not show up. Digitalisation has far-reaching consequences.

The recently published anthology „Digitalisierung und die Zukunft der Demokratie” (Nomos Verlag) contains contributions by editors Michael Nentwich and Alexander Bogner (both ITA, Austrian Academy of Sciences), Constanze Scherz and Michael Decker (both ITAS, Germany), as well as essays by critical voices such as Academy member Gerda Falkner, who observes a restriction of freedom of opinion in hidden methods such as "nudging", the technology philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin or Oxford professor Philipp Howard, who strongly criticises the inactivity of social media in the case of fake news.

Social media as misleading echo chamber?

ITA researchers Alexander Bogner and Stefan Strauß argue in der article that social media can also promote the digital freedom of opinion of civil society. However, the fact that this same medium lends a voice not only to Greenpeace, but also serves as an echo chamber for right-wing or nationalistic groups is the dark side of this development, the authors say.

"This problem is intensified by the use of algorithms to maximise attention, cause outrage or increase the time spent on the respective platform instead of promoting discourse on socially relevant topics.  This leads to side effects such as manipulation and polarisation," emphasises Jaro-Krieger Lamina (ITA), who co-author an essay dealing with the effects of algorithms on opinion forming and political processes.

Deepfakes and polarisation threaten democracy

"The aim of the book is to offer answers to questions that concern us all," says ITA Director Michael Nentwich. "We are experiencing a world in which reality is often no longer separable from fiction, just think of deepfakes and misinformation spreading at lightning speed. How should we address the challenges posed by polarisation and the inaction of platform giants against it? When we look for answers, knowledge from technology assessment is just as relevant as philosophy, political science and law," Nentwich emphasises.