Managing artificial intelligence, as one of the most significant challenges of today's technological era, requires a deep understanding of the historical failures of the democratic internet. These failures stemmed from the concentration of power, commercialization of attention, and manipulation of public discourse. These realities must be considered in new frameworks for governing artificial intelligence in Europe and other parts of the world.
Historical Experiences and Internet Failures
The internet initially emerged with a grand promise; a promise that helped democratize information and communication. However, over time, it became evident that this platform, instead of strengthening democracy, turned into a tool for the concentration of power. Major technology powers exploited this space to increase their influence and control over public information, thereby affecting public discourse day by day.
Iran, as an example of these failures, shows how technology can become a tool of repression instead of facilitating free communication. In this context, there is a pressing need to rethink how technologies are governed.
The Necessity for New Governance of Artificial Intelligence
Currently, with the emergence of artificial intelligence and similar technologies, new challenges are before us. Major technology powers, especially in Europe, must learn from past experiences and move towards an artificial intelligence governance that pays attention to privacy, justice, and transparency. This requires international cooperation and public partnerships to prevent the dominance of major powers and establish a democratic space.
Ultimately, if Europe succeeds in designing artificial intelligence governance processes based on democratic principles, it could serve as a successful model for other parts of the world. Otherwise, there is a risk of repeating past mistakes and exacerbating social and political crises.
Read more: The death of reading; a serious threat to our democracy · Transformation of cyberspace governance with the review of the first document at the National Cyberspace Center
