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The writer is a fellow at Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and the Cyber Policy Center. She is the author of ‘The Tech Coup’
When we look at the current news cycle, it’s clear that AI and technology regulation are hot topics. However, despite the continuous coverage, technology is not a top priority for many voters and politicians seem hesitant to engage with tech policy. This gap between the societal impact of technology and its political attention leads to crucial decisions being made without democratic input.
It’s time for a change. The consequences of technology affect us all. While AI companies promise efficiency gains, reports from organizations like the World Bank and the International Labor Organization warn of potential job losses. Discussions about smartphone use are common at kitchen tables, and AI is a topic of consideration in boardrooms and war rooms alike.
Despite its wide-ranging impact on various aspects of society, technology is often overlooked as a political issue. Voters tend to prioritize economic growth, housing, and migration. While these issues are undoubtedly important, the impact of technology should not be underestimated.
One common reason politicians give for avoiding tech policy discussions is their own lack of technical knowledge. They fear making statements that may be perceived as inadequate and subject them to ridicule. This fear is not unfounded, as seen in the aftermath of Mark Zuckerberg’s hearing before the Senate in 2018, where lawmakers’ technical ignorance received more attention than Facebook’s data practices.
Silicon Valley often exploits this insecurity to exclude politicians from tech debates. However, technical expertise should not be a prerequisite for discussing technology policy. Leaders make decisions based on values and constituents’ needs, not technical details.
Many questions considered technical are, in fact, moral in nature. Should AI systems be allowed to make life-or-death decisions? How much surveillance should governments conduct on citizens? What are the implications of social media algorithms radicalizing teenagers? These are fundamental questions that require broader engagement.
Technology impacts all sectors and all people, making it essential to politicize tech policy. Elected officials should prioritize tech policy as part of their role, and public debates on AI governance should focus on fundamental questions of power, justice, and human agency.
It’s crucial to involve non-experts in these discussions, as their perspectives as parents, workers, patients, and voters are valuable. The future of technology should not be solely shaped by tech executives but by the democratic will of the people.