Are 21st century technologies like AI incompatible with democracy?

Several major books/articles already have been penned arguing that the surveillance society we have created for ourselves - that as we speak is being wedded to artificial intelligence - will be the slow death of democracy as we know it. Technology could make self-government so much better. But could it instead outstrip our ability to govern ourselves, or even our desire to care if we do?

The arguments that modern technology like AI is not compatible with democracy are both complicated and simple at their core. Basically, too much power over too many people in too few hands, with too much of the power both hidden from us and automated out of the hands of our elected or even visible "leaders." It isn't just in China. AI systems that do the authoritarian analyses and decision making are being sold all over the world. That few of us can see it happening is part of the strategy. That many of us might not even value democracy enough to care may be a poisonous byproduct of the style of authoritarian politics that now infests us, or it may end up being a result of learned political helplessness.

OTOH, one thing about democracy is that in the past it has been proven more resilient (usually) than pessimists gave it credit for. Maybe AI and other cutting-edge technologies could actually make govt better and more responsive!

Look back here for a few optional but helpful background readings the week before the 5/20 mtg.