Could the AI system affect democracy or have an adverse impact on society at large?

Ethics & Human Rights Category
Design PhaseInput PhaseModel PhaseOutput PhaseMonitor Phase
Could the AI system affect democracy or have an adverse impact on society at large?
  • Could your product be used for monitoring and surveillance purposes?
  • Could the system interfere with democratic principles, such as having a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, or ensuring transparency and accountability in public administration?
  • Could the system influence voting choices, limit citizens' access to voting, or restrict their ability to run as candidates in elections?

If you answered Yes then you are at risk

If you are not sure, then you might be at risk too

Recommendations

  • Train the AI system on unbiased data and incorporate mechanisms to detect and address misinformation or disinformation that could affect democratic outcomes. If the system is used in voting or election processes, ensure robust cybersecurity measures and fail-safes to protect against tampering, hacking, or manipulation.
  • Design the system to promote pluralistic views and ensure it does not restrict or prioritize certain political narratives.
  • Adhere to relevant national and international legal standards protecting democracy, political freedoms, and human rights.
  • Continuously monitor the AI system’s impact on democratic institutions and processes, making adjustments as necessary to mitigate risks and uphold democratic principles.
  • Conduct an impact assessment to evaluate how the AI system might influence democratic processes, including political participation, electoral fairness, and public administration transparency. Implement strict policies to prevent the system from favoring or disfavoring specific political parties, candidates, or ideologies.
  • Make the system’s purpose, data sources, and decision-making processes clear and accessible to the public, ensuring that its operations can be scrutinized by independent parties.
  • Collaborate with regulatory bodies and civic organizations to establish oversight committees that monitor the system's impact on democratic processes.

Interesting resources/references

  • Right to democracy (Universal Declaration of Human Rights), article 41 Right to good administration, article 39 Right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament, article 40 Right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections (Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union).