election-watch.eu

Vienna, 27 January 2021:  Election-Watch.EU/wahlbeobachtung.org, with the Vienna Data Science Group (VDSG) and the kind support of Women in AI Austria, organised this webinar on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on freedom of expression in political competition”, within the framework of the Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence & Freedom of Expression (SAIFE) Project of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media (OSCE RFoM).

The aim of this webinar was to:

• Understand the opportunities and challenges of AI on freedom of expression in political competition;
• Share information about the ongoing policy discussion and proposed regulation of AI;
• Stimulate discussion with policy makers, industry, civil society and regional organisations;
• Search for common ground about the role and boundaries of AI in political competition;
• Advocate for a human-rights based approach to AI in political competition;
• Present draft policy paper on the Impact of AI on freedom of expression in political competition.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), in particular machine-learning and other forms of automated decision-making technologies, have a rapidly growing impact on how citizens seek, receive, impart and access information in political campaigns and elections, especially through their usage on social media networks and online platforms. The highly complex and opaque curation of content by platforms, as well as political parties and state actors, results in significant impact on freedom of expression.

The panellists will provide perspectives on AI and freedom of expression in an increasingly AI-enhanced electoral and political environment; and look into opportunities and challenges of AI in fostering a resilient information and media environment, strengthening the freedom of expression and enhancing citizen and voter awareness.

PROGRAMME:

Introduction:

• Deniz Yazici, Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Panellists:

• Christiane Wendehorst, University of Vienna Professor of Law & Member of the Global Partnership on AI
• Gianluca Misuraca, Member of the Task Force on Democracy in the Digital Age & Special Advisor of Re-Imagine Europa
• Matthias Spielkamp, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Algorithm Watch
• Fanny Hidvegi, Europe Policy Manager at Access Now
• Rasťo Kužel, Executive Director of Memo98
• Rania Wazir, VDSG/data4good; Armin Rabitsch, Election-Watch.EU/wahlbeobachtung.org

Moderator:

• Julia Krüger, netzpolitik.org

Wednesday, 27 January 2021, from 16:00 to 17:30 hours (CET)

You can watch the coverage of this zoom webinar as video

on the VDSG YouTube Channel