Can AI Improve Our Democracy?
ABC News
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 30 Aug 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 30 Aug 2026, 02:00 am
Description
As AI begins to transform how decisions are made, democracy expert Beth Noveck asks whether we can use AI to make institutions more responsive, deepen citizen participation, and strengthen democracy at a time when confidence in public institutions is under strain.
Guest: Professor Beth Noveck, director of The Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University and author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy
Summary
Professor Beth Noveck explores the potential for AI to revitalize democratic institutions by enhancing citizen participation and governmental responsiveness. The discussion weighs the transformative benefits of AI in public decision-making against the risks of institutional erosion and public distrust. While the segment touches on governance frameworks, its primary focus is on social utility and political stability rather than the technical mitigation of catastrophic or existential AI risks. The content provides relevant context for Australian policy considerations regarding the ethical deployment of AI within public sectors.
Body
As AI begins to transform how decisions are made, democracy expert Beth Noveck asks whether we can use AI to make institutions more responsive, deepen citizen participation, and strengthen democracy at a time when confidence in public institutions is under strain.Guest: Professor Beth Noveck, director of The Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University and author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save DemocracyProgram:More from Sunday ExtraWorld Politics, Governance, AI, AI Ethics Appears In Syria's new order and Andrew Upton's chickens: 30 August, 2026Duration: 2 hours 49 minutes 28 seconds2h 49m9itemsIn this episode1 of 9Japan will soon test missiles in Australia, here's whyDuration: 12 minutes 34 seconds12m 2 of 9PlayingCan AI improve our democracy?Duration: 21 minutes 20 seconds21m 3 of 9Lily Shearer on evoking CountryDuration: 10 minutes 52 seconds10m 4 of 9Muppets in the museumDuration: 12 minutes 12m 5 of 9Tweet of the week, 30 August 2026Duration: 1 minute 30 seconds1m 30s6 of 9The Year that Made Me: Andrew Upton, 2025Duration: 27 minutes 29 seconds27m 7 of 9Why Danny Estrin is driven by 'Precious Metal'Duration: 12 minutes 38 seconds12m 8 of 9What were you doing at 11? Anderson Taylor runs his own museumDuration: 4 minutes 51 seconds4m 51s9 of 9Syria's new economic and security landscape Duration: 16 minutes 30 seconds16m