Introductory description

The module "Politics of Artificial Intelligence" examines the ways in which AI technologies intersect with political, social, and ethical issues. It explores the politics of AI development, deployment, and governance, including issues of power, regulation, and accountability. The module also examines the implications of AI for social justice, economic inequality, and democratic participation. Additionally, it covers the challenges of ensuring AI is developed and deployed in an ethical and responsible manner, and the role of government, industry, and civil society in shaping the politics of AI. Students will examine key debates and controversies surrounding AI, including issues related to ethics, governance, regulation, and human rights. The module will cover a range of topics, from the impact of AI on employment and economic inequality to the role of AI in national security and global governance. Students will gain a critical understanding of the political dimensions of AI and develop the skills necessary to engage in informed policy discussions and debates about this rapidly evolving field.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Section A: The Background
Week 1: Introduction to Politics of AI
Week 2: A Brief History of AI, Governance and Regulation
Section B: Contemporary Politics of AI
Week 3: AI and Democracy (social media – misinformation, polarisation)
Week 4: AI, Privacy and Surveillance: Facial Recognition
Week 5: AI - Bias and Discrimination
Week 6: Reading week
Section C: AI and Future of Politics
Week 7: Political Economy of Automation
Week 8: AI and International Security
Week 9: AI and Sustainability
Week 10: Conclusion and Future of the Politics of AI

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the complex political and social dimensions of AI, including the ethical considerations involved in its development and use
• Analyze the current role of governments and international institutions in regulating AI and the impact of AI on public policy
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in key scholarly debates and critical analysis of the politics of AI, and to apply this understanding to real-world case studies and scenarios.

Indicative reading list

Allen, G. C. (2019). Understanding China's AI strategy: Clues to Chinese strategic thinking on artificial intelligence and national security.
Andrejevic, M. (2019). "Automating surveillance." Surveillance & Society 17(1/2): 7-13.
Bareis, J., & Katzenbach, C. (2022). Talking AI into being: The narratives and imaginaries of national AI strategies and their performative politics. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 47(5), 855-881.
Bartoletti, I. (2020). An artificial revolution: On power, politics and AI. Black Spot Books.
Crawford, K. (2021). The atlas of AI: Power, politics, and the planetary costs of artificial intelligence. Yale University Press.
Carmel, E., & Paul, R. (2022). Peace and prosperity for the digital age? The colonial political economy of European AI governance. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, 41(2), 94-104.
Coeckelbergh, M. (2021). AI for climate: freedom, justice, and other ethical and political challenges. AI and Ethics, 1(1), 67-72.
Dafoe, A. (2018). Global politics and the governance of artificial intelligence. Journal of International Affairs, 72(1), 121-126.
Dauvergne, P. (2021). The globalization of artificial intelligence: consequences for the politics of environmentalism. Globalizations, 18(2), 285-299.
Dixon, R. B. L. (2022). A principled governance for emerging AI regimes: lessons from China, the European Union, and the United States. AI and Ethics, 1-18.
Djeffal, C., Siewert, M. B., & Wurster, S. (2022). Role of the state and responsibility in governing artificial intelligence: a comparative analysis of AI strategies. Journal of European Public Policy, 29(11), 1799-1821.
Erman, E., & Furendal, M. (2022). Artificial Intelligence and the Political Legitimacy of Global Governance. Political Studies, 00323217221126665.
Filgueiras, F. (2022). The politics of AI: democracy and authoritarianism in developing countries. Journal of Information Technology & Politics, 19(4), 449-464.
Gahnberg, C. (2021). What rules? Framing the governance of artificial agency. Policy and society, 40(2), 194-210.
Garcia, D. (2018). Lethal artificial intelligence and change: The future of international peace and security. International Studies Review, 20(2), 334-341.
Gill, A. S. (2019). Artificial intelligence and international security: the long view. Ethics & International Affairs, 33(2), 169-179.
Guenat, S., Purnell, P., Davies, Z. G., Nawrath, M., Stringer, L. C., Babu, G. R., ... & Dallimer, M. (2022). Meeting sustainable development goals via robotics and autonomous systems. Nature Communications, 13(1), 3559.
Hoadley, D. S., & Lucas, N. J. (2018). Artificial intelligence and national security.
Horowitz, M. C., Allen, G. C., Saravalle, E., Cho, A., Frederick, K., & Scharre, P. (2018). Artificial intelligence and international security. Center for a New American Security.
Horowitz, M. C., Allen, G. C., Kania, E. B., & Scharre, P. (2018). Strategic competition in an era of artificial intelligence. Center for a New American Security..
Hudson, V. M. (2019). Artificial intelligence and international politics. Routledge.
Johnson, J. (2019). Artificial intelligence & future warfare: implications for international security. Defense & Security Analysis, 35(2), 147-169.
Justo-Hanani, R. (2022). The politics of Artificial Intelligence regulation and governance reform in the European Union. Policy Sciences, 55(1), 137-159.
Katz, Y. (2020). Artificial whiteness: Politics and ideology in artificial intelligence. Columbia University Press.
Koniakou, V. (2022). From the “rush to ethics” to the “race for governance” in Artificial Intelligence. Information Systems Frontiers, 1-32.
König, P. D., & Wenzelburger, G. (2020). Opportunity for renewal or disruptive force? How artificial intelligence alters democratic politics. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), 101489.
Leuca, S. B. (2022). Framing artificial intelligence: The interplay between AI policies and security in the European Union.
Levy, F. (2018). Computers and populism: artificial intelligence, jobs, and politics in the near term. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 34(3), 393-417.
Roberts, H., et al. (2021). "The Chinese approach to artificial intelligence: an analysis of policy, ethics, and regulation." AI & SOCIETY 36(1): 59-77.
Radu, R. (2021). Steering the governance of artificial intelligence: national strategies in perspective. Policy and society, 40(2), 178-193.
Taeihagh, A. (2021). Governance of artificial intelligence. Policy and society, 40(2), 137-157.
Tan, N. (2020). "Digital learning and extending electoral authoritarianism in Singapore." Democratization 27(6): 1073-1091.
Ulnicane, I., Knight, W., Leach, T., Stahl, B. C., & Wanjiku, W. G. (2021). Framing governance for a contested emerging technology: insights from AI policy. Policy and Society, 40(2), 158-177.
Visvizi, A. (2022). Artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable development goals (SDGs): Exploring the impact of AI on politics and society. Sustainability, 14(3), 1730.
Zekos, G.I. (2022). AI and Politics. In: Political, Economic and Legal Effects of Artificial Intelligence. Contributions to Political Science. Springer, Cham.

Subject specific skills

Understand the political and social dimensions of AI, including the ethical considerations involved in its development and use
Analyze the role of governments in regulating AI and the impact of AI on public policy
Demonstrate the ability to engage in debates and critical analysis of the politics of AI, and to apply this understanding to real-world case studies and scenarios.

Transferable skills

Critical analytical skills
Ability to write cohesively about complex political subjects
Presentation and communications skills
Specific knowledge about technology and policy.
Ability to understand and engage with AI policy debates