Professor Noveck, former Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the White House and the United States’ first State Chief AI strategist, will explore how – contrary to some assumptions – emerging technologies could enhance democracy.
The event, named Civic University – Democracy, AI, and the Public Imagination, will take place on 2 June at the University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute and online.
AI for good
It will examine how AI could strengthen participation in elections, enhance public trust and help with social problem solving, drawing on Professor Noveck’s vast experience, including leading President Obama’s Open Government Initiative and advising governments across the world.
The event will also explore topics covered in her forthcoming book, “Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy”, including how governments should procure and deploy AI systems, how universities should change how they teach and what they research, and how companies and individuals alike can build AI for public good.
Future universities
Professor Noveck will be joined by the University of Edinburgh’s Professor Oliver Escobar to discuss the role of universities in enhancing democracy, and helping society adapt to political upheaval and high-speed advances in technology.
Together, they will explore how society can harness AI for good and why – as Professor Noveck believes – Scotland is unusually well positioned to lead on this, ensuring that tech is built for citizens, not just consumers.
According to the latest data, autocracies now outnumber democracies for the first time in over two decades. As the home of AI in Europe and the oldest civic foundation in the English-speaking world, organisers say the University of Edinburgh is a fitting venue for such conversations on AI and society.
The event marks the start of Future University, a new Edinburgh Futures Institute series exploring how universities can evolve to meet the demands of an ever-changing world.