STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Stanford Digital Economy Lab today announced the debut of The Digitalist Papers, a series which presents an array of possible futures that the AI revolution might produce, and offers a new platform for reimagining and reinventing our democratic institutions as we stand at another technological, economic, and political crossroads today.
Just as the Federalist Papers of the 18th century analyzed the great challenges of the day and provided a roadmap of institutional innovation for the young nation, today, we need a similar ambition of imagination.
The Digitalist Papers aims to bridge domains and disciplines by assembling experts from multiple fields – including economics, law, technology, management, and political science – alongside industry and civil society leaders. The series is curated by renowned scholars and leaders: Erik Brynjolfsson, Alex "Sandy" Pentland, Nathaniel Persily, and Condoleezza Rice, and features contributions from 19 thought leaders who bring their unique disciplinary expertise.
The Digitalist Papers explore four key areas:
U.S. Democracy Foundation Transformations: The evolution of democratic systems is crucial in an era where AI and digital technologies are reshaping societal norms and political processes. These papers explore how democracies can adapt to new challenges by integrating innovative technologies and participatory practices.
-
Lawrence Lessig, Harvard Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School, on Protected Democracy:
- Discusses the philosophical underpinnings and vulnerabilities of democracy.
- Proposes “protected democratic deliberation” and citizen assemblies as solutions.
-
Divya Siddarth, Cofounder and Executive Director of the Collective Intelligence Project (CIP); Saffron Huang, Cofounder and Research Director of the CIP; and Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s first Digital Minister, on A Vision of Democratic AI:
- Explores digitally-enabled citizen assemblies and direct policy involvement.
- Highlights the Taiwanese Alignment Assembly experience for future AI policies.
-
Lily L. Tsai, Director and Founder of the MIT Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB) and the Ford Professor of Political Science at MIT, and Alex (Sandy) Pentland, Stanford HAI Fellow and Toshiba Director at MIT, on Rediscovering the Pleasures of Pluralism: The Potential of Digitally Mediated Civic Participation:
- Advocates for AI raising constituent voices and enabling direct democracy.
- Suggests designing digital civic infrastructure to enhance civic engagement.
-
Sarah Friar, OpenAI CFO and former Nextdoor CEO, and Laura Bisesto, Chief of Staff to the Chief Financial Officer at OpenAI and the former Global Head of Policy and Privacy at Nextdoor, on The Potential for AI to Restore Local Community Connectedness, the Bedrock of a Healthy Democracy:
- Focuses on digital connections among neighbors to strengthen community fabric.
- Emphasizes the importance of local context in governance through digital platforms.
AI's Role in Government and Governance: AI has the potential to transform government operations and public service delivery, bridging the gap between public expectations and governmental capabilities. These papers discuss how AI can enhance state capacity and support democratic governance.
-
Jennifer Pahlka, Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center and at the Federation of American Scientists, and a Senior Advisor to the Abundance Network, on AI Meets the Cascade of Rigidity:
- Discusses the challenge of diminished state capacity in advanced democracies and how it leads to civic disengagement.
- Proposes strategies for AI deployment to build governance capacity.
-
Eric Schmidt, Former CEO and Chairman of Google, technologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, on Democracy 2.0:
- Stresses the need to change organizing models in the U.S. government.
- Offers actionable strategies for integrating AI into government functions.
AI and Regulation: Regulating AI presents complex challenges that require a balanced approach, considering both the benefits and risks of emerging technologies. These papers explore the intricacies of AI regulation and its impact on democratic values and societal trust.
-
John H. Cochrane, Rose-Marie and Jack Anderson Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution, on AI, Society, and Democracy: Just Relax:
- Argues that AI regulation, not AI itself, threatens democracy.
- Advocates for competition and institutional strengthening over regulation.
-
Nathaniel Persily, James B. McClatchy Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, with appointments in the departments of Political Science, Communication, and the Freeman Spogli Institute, and the Founding Co-Director of the Stanford Cyber Policy Center, on AI's Impact on Misunderstanding AI’s Democracy Problem:
- Warns against overreacting to AI's potential impact on media and democracy.
- Calls for transparency and public investment to guide AI development.
-
Eugene Volokh, Thomas M. Siebel Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Gary T. Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at the UCLA School of Law, on Generative AI and Political Power:
- Examines the influence of AI companies on political life.
- Advocates for the “user sovereignty model” through competition and regulation.
Comprehensive and Inclusive Democratic Action: Inclusivity and collaboration between technology and human society are essential for fostering democratic actions that reflect diverse perspectives. These papers emphasize the need for participatory frameworks and ethical considerations in shaping the future of AI and democracy.
-
Mona Hamdy, Founder and Managing Director of Anomaly and Harvard Teaching Fellow in Applied Ethics; Johnnie Moore, President of JDA Worldwide and President of the Congress of Christian Leaders; and E. Glen Weyl, Microsoft Research the Plural Technology Collaboratory Research Lead, and Plurality Institute Founder and Chair, on Techno-Ideologies of the Twenty-first Century:
- Propose a participatory framework integrating diverse perspectives.
- Emphasize ecological and religious considerations in AI governance.
-
Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Cofounder of Inflection AI, and Partner at Greylock, and Greg Beato, technology and culture writer, on Informational GPS:
- Focus on broad access to AI technologies and individual agency in realizing AI’s potential benefits.
- Compare AI systems with GPS to propose strategies for equitable benefits.
-
James Manyika, Google and Alphabet President for Research, Technology & Society, Vice Chair of the US National AI Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, on Getting AI Right: A 2050 Thought Experiment:
- Envisions a future where AI contributes to human and technological flourishing.
- Outlines grand challenges and a roadmap for ethical AI development.
The Digitalist Papers were spearheaded by the Stanford Digital Economy Lab and made possible thanks to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Stanford Cyber Policy Center, Hoover Institution, Project Liberty Institute, and Project Liberty's Founder, Frank McCourt.
For more information or to purchase a copy, visit www.digitalistpapers.com.
About the Stanford Digital Economy Lab
The Stanford Digital Economy Lab conducts groundbreaking research on the digital economy's impact across societal boundaries. It aims to lower barriers to understanding how digitalization shapes our future through accessible, evidence-based information. The Stanford Digital Economy Lab brings together interdisciplinary researchers to study how digital technologies transform work, organizations, and the economy. Their insights help various stakeholders address challenges and opportunities created by digitization. The Stanford Digital Economy Lab believes in augmenting human capabilities with machine capabilities for mutual benefit. It is part of Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and co-sponsored by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. For more information, visit digitaleconomy.stanford.edu/ and follow on LinkedIn and X.
