The Relation Between Digital Technology and Democracy

Abstract

This chapter provides a conceptual understanding of the impact of advanced digital technologies on democracy with a special focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The explanation of the impact of the internet and allied technologies is themed into 1) power at the hands of the state or 2) diffuses from the state. In the current global politics, almost all the major powers of the world are vying for an upper hand in developing advanced digital technologies, especially AI. Among these, AI is the major technological development that brings the dichotomy in state's behaviour pitching surveillance against freedom. Anchored to AI, this chapter provides a good understanding of technology impact on the sustenance of democracy. The chapter concludes by providing a co-protectionist approach in formulating a new conceptual framework for digital democracy.