S10E6: AI for Democracy: Can Algorithms Save Civic Engagement

As Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) moves closer to reality, the world faces a crucial question: Who—if anyone—should govern it? In this episode of Age of AI, host Medlir Mema sits down with governance expert Justin Bullock to explore the challenges of regulating AGI at a global scale. Could a Global AGI Agency provide the oversight we need, or is international cooperation on AI doomed to fail? From the risks of unchecked AGI development to the hurdles of enforcing global AI policy, this conversation unpacks the future of AI governance and the stakes for humanity.Links:https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/630b0421cd31598bbf8f31e7/67866b3ce4e06de6fadc3c45_2025-GGI-Bullock-Global-AGI-Agency.pdfhttps://www.globalgovernance.eu/ggi-education/aigghttps://www.lesswrong.com/posts/5hApNw5f7uG8RXxGS/the-open-agency-model Send us a text

In this episode of Age of AI, host Medlir Mema sits down with Caryn Lusinchi—AI auditor, policy advisor, and former AI leader at Meta and Google—to explore the tensions between innovation and regulation. Can international AI governance truly work, or are we heading toward fragmented, sovereign AI ecosystems? Join us as we discuss the EU AI Act, the Paris AI Action Summit, the rise of national AI programs, and the future of AI regulation in an era of accelerating change.Links:https://www.globalgovernance.eu/publications/ais-fast-forward-button-can-we-harness-innovation-without-sacrificing-safetyhttps://www.globalgovernance.eu/publications/the-eu-ai-act-two-steps-forward-one-step-backhttps://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/the-rising-tide-of-sovereign-ai Send us a text

In this episode, David Mas, Chief AI Officer at Make.org, and Medlir explore how AI can strengthen democratic participation and institutional transparency. They discuss the ambitious AI for Democracy Democratic Commons initiative, consider how AI can help counter the erosion of democratic legitimacy, and examine how democracies can respond to weaponization of AI by authoritarian regimes.Links:AI For Democracy Democratic CommonsAI & Democracy: Insights from Make.org’s Roundtable DiscussionSend us a text

Medlir is joined by Dr. Nafiseh (Cati) Molaei, a Postdoctoral Scholar specializing in Biomedical Data Science at Northwestern University to discuss how AI is reshaping the medical landscape. From diagnosing complex diseases to personalizing treatment plans, AI is driving innovations that were once thought impossible.Links:https://datascience.uchicago.edu/events/nafiseh-cati-mollaei-uchicago-aiscience-schmidt-fellows-speaker-series/https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/epdf/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01003https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03097-1 Send us a text

Today we dive into the evolving conversation on AI risk and governance. Our guests, Torben Swoboda and Risto Uuk, discuss the challenges of defining AI risk, the debate over acceptable thresholds, and common critiques of the existential risk perspective. We also examine the feasibility of global AI governance and historical parallels that may guide our path forward.Links:Examining Popular Arguments Against AI Existential Risk: A Philosophical AnalysisPause Giant AI Experiments: An Open LetterSend us a text

In this episode Ritwik Gupta of the Berkeley AI Research Lab returns to talk with Chris about what DeepSeek really means for the AI Industry, Trump’s recent Stargate AI initiative, US-China AI competition, policy responses to DeepSeek, and where we should be looking for the next big disruptive event in the world of AI.Links:https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.14425https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-hawley-act-threatens-ai-innovation#DeepSeek #Stargate #PolicySend us a text

In this episode we’re joined by Jeremy Tamanini, founder of Dual Citizen LLC, to explore the intersection of AI and environmental sustainability during the Trump 2.0 era. From the environmental impacts of AI infrastructure, to innovative practices and emerging legislation, this conversation dives deep into how AI can be both a challenge and a tool for sustainability.Links:Jeremy Tamanini, Dual Citizen: https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/person/jeremy-tamaniniAnatomy of an AI System: https://anatomyof.ai/Epoch AI: https://epoch.ai/Navigating New Horizons: https://www.unep.org/resources/global-foresight-reportHow AI Is Fueling a Boom in Data Centers and Energy Demand The Environmental Impacts of AI -- Primer: https://time.com/6987773/ai-data-centers-energy-usage-climate-change/?utm_source=chatgpt.comKeywords: AI sustainability, environmental impact, Trump 2.0, Dual Citizen LLC, responsible AI, AI legislation, sustainable innovation, climate and technology.Send us a text

Medlir Mema engages in an insightful discussion with Matt Van Itallie, the CEO of Sema Software, a company at the forefront of revolutionizing software analytics and risk management in the age of artificial intelligence. Sema has transformed the field of software analytics and set new standards for monitoring and risk management in AI-driven development. Matt shares insights into the evolving responsibilities of CTOs, the creation of transformative tools like the GenAI Code Monitor and Generative AI Bill of Materials, and the critical strategies companies need to address both technological and geopolitical challenges in the age of rapid innovation.Links:Matt Van Itallie Sema SoftwareKeywords:AI innovation, software analytics, CTO leadership, GenAI Code Monitor, AI risk managementSend us a text

Medlir sits with Iva Mema to discuss how AI shapes architectural design and public policy decision-making. They also explore the risks of perpetuating discrimination through biased algorithms, the potential for job displacement, and the over-reliance on technology that might diminish human creativity and expertise. https://www.ivamema.com/#AI, #Algorithmic_Bias; #Architecture; #Public_Policy; #Smart_CitiesSend us a text

Medlir is joined by Melanie Rideout, a climate tech expert and Global Governance Institute (GGI) fellow, who shares her insights from working with Shayp and international organizations like the Red Cross and UN bodies. Together they explore the opportunities, challenges, and complexities of leveraging technology for global development and climate action.#SustainableDevelopment #EmergingTech #ClimateAction #GlobalDevelopment #AIforGoodSend us a text