A conversation about philosophy, democracy and AI at Casa de Vacas, Madrid.

On November 21st, World Philosophy Day, three iDEM researchers presented the project in an event held by Fundación Cibervoluntarios in Casa de Vacas, at Retiro, in Madrid. The theme of this event was how philosophy and disruptive technologies converge in the digital era. In a day dedicated to reflection, researchers Cristina Astier and Josep Lluís Martí from UPF, joined by Octavo Barriuso from Cibervoluntarios, deliberated on the ethical and inclusive development of artificial intelligence.

The event began with an introduction to the philosophy of democracy. Octavio Barriuso correlated the impact that digital literacy has in current democratic systems with that of literacy in Socrates’ Greece. He reflected on how philosophy allows us to understand how we can take power over technology and not let technology overpower us. 

“Philosophy allows us to understand technology” – Octavio Barriuso, Cibervoluntarios. 

Understanding technology includes knowing how AI systems are created and for what reason. Overlooking the needs of certain demographics in the creation of official websites, technology and information, leads to their active exclusion from democratic processes. 

“iDEM asks how we can use a tool to help us express ourselves and understand each other in a more simple way” – Cristina Astier, UPF.

The dichotomy between the danger and opportunities that AI poses for the livelihoods of every citizen was central to this debate. Using technology to make official information more accessible to people experiencing language barriers is one of the opportunities these disruptive technologies offer us all. 

“Democracy is always evolving. Later in history, people will find it hard to believe that we accepted institutions as democratic when they were not” – Josep Lluis Martí, UPF.

The takeaway of this event was that, since we tell AI systems what to do, we have the power to create artificial intelligence that acts for the wellbeing and inclusion of all people. iDEM will create a Natural Language Processing (NLP) system to promote the right of all people to participate in democracy. 

“There is no reason to believe that citizens do not have the capacity to participate in democracy or debates” – Josep Lluís Martí, UPF