September 2020

Artificial intelligence and democratic norms: meeting the authoritarian challenge

related content:

• Glenn Tiffert on “Compromising the Knowledge Economy: Authoritarian Challenges to Independent Intellectual Inquiry“
• Edward Lucas on “Firming Up Democracy’s Soft Underbelly: Authoritarian Influence and Media Vulnerability“
• Martin Hála on “A New Invisible Hand: Authoritarian Corrosive Capital and the Repurposing of Democracy“
• Eileen Donahoe and Megan MacDuffee Metzger on “An Intelligent Human Rights Agenda for Artificial Intelligence“
• Elsa Kania on “China’s Ambitions in Artificial Intelligence: A Challenge to the Future of Democracy?“
• Vidushi Marda on “Civil Society, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Free Expression“

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Power 3.0: “Golden Passports: A Ticket to Transnational Kleptocracy“

“Golden passport” schemes, or citizenship-by-investment strategies, are used by kleptocrats and other corrupt actors to evade sanctions, avoid transnational investigations, and launder their reputations, writes Casey Michel in a Power 3.0 blog post entitled “Golden Passports: A Ticket to Transnational Kleptocracy.”

Power 3.0 Podcast: “The Changing Global Media Landscape: Part II“

In “The Changing Global Media Landscape: Part II,” Claire Wardle surveys how the spread of mis- and disinformation has disrupted the global media space and offers suggestions for how digital platforms and civil society organizations can respond while preserving free expression and democratic institutions.

Accepting Applications: 2021-2022 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program 

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program invites applications for fellowships in 2021-2022. Dedicated to international exchange, the program enables democracy scholars and practitioners to conduct independent projects while in residence in Washington, D.C. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2020.

Forum Q&A: The Evolving
Field of Disinformation Research

Following disinformation’s role in high-profile elections and other political processes around the world, observers worry about how it may be employed in future related contexts. In a Q&A on “The Evolving Field of Disinformation Research,” Kelly Born considers the changing landscape of disinformation research and offers a path forward.

 “What we need today is to better understand the impact that this content is having, especially on disadvantaged communities, and how the platforms themselves—above and beyond what individual users are posting—might be driving audiences to that problematic content.”

— Kelly Born in “THE EVOLVING FIELD OF DISINFORMATION RESEARCH“

 MORE FROM THE FORUM:   

• The Journal of Democracy published its July 2020 issue, in which contributors survey the pressing challenges that, from Latin America to East Asia, are shaping the balance between democracy and authoritarianism.
• The Democracy Resource Center at the National Endowment for Democracy has returned to the Forum. Read their September monthly book list for content related to the International Day of Democracy on September 15. Check out their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.
• NED Vice President for Studies and Analysis Christopher Walker participated in Political Capital’s event, entitled “Authoritarian Shadows: Malign Influence in the European Parliament,” in which he considered how authoritarian regimes exploit democratic institutions.
• Christopher Walker spoke on a panel entitled “Trend: Rising Divisions Changing the Face of Democracy” as part of GLOBSEC’s Digital Stage 2020 conference.
• Christopher Walker participated on a panel organized by Florida International University entitled “China’s Sharp Power: Beijing’s Growing Repression in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Around the World.”

Read more posts from the Power 3.0 Blog.