Democracy in Times of Zuckerberg and Xi | 23rd Forum 2000 Conference

Panel
Despite their many positive aspects, information technology and artificial intelligence have recently become widely used tools for distorting the truth, for political manipulation, and the restriction of personal freedoms. Recent events such as the Russian disinformation campaigns, the role of Cambridge Analytica in Brexit, or the creeping digital totalitarianism in China all show how technology can threaten freedom and undermine democratic principles. What are the main threats of current technologies to our freedoms and security? How can democratic societies prevent their misuse? What should be the absolute priority?

Participants:
Peter Pomerantsev, Visiting Fellow, Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics, United Kingdom/Russia
Xiao Qiang, Founder, China Digital Times, Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA/Chile
Gerd Leonhard, Futurist, Switzerland
Benedetta Berti, Head, Policy Planning Unit, Office of the Secretary General, NATO, Italy

The 23rd annual Conference was held in Prague on October 13 – 15, 2019 under the title "Recovering the Promise of 1989".