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In person icon Demystifying Power In/ of Artificial Intelligence

Governance
Policy Analysis
Public Policy
Power
Technology
Big Data
Policy-Making
P134
Inga Ulnicane
University of Cambridge
Tero Erkkilä
University of Helsinki
Inga Ulnicane
University of Cambridge

In person icon Building: New Philosophy Building, Floor: 1, Room: 110B

Thursday 15:45 - 17:30 EEST (28/08/2025)

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) today is often seen as an all-powerful technology changing almost every aspect of our lives. This panel invites theoretical and empirical contributions that critically examine what power means when we talk about AI. Theoretically, we invite to revisit the concept of power in diverse scientific disciplines such as political science, sociology and philosophy, and examine how existing understandings of power like domination, influence and coercion help to understand dynamics, relationships and asymmetries we can observe in the field of AI today. Do existing understandings of power help to explain the field of AI? Are there any gaps and shortcomings? How to apply them to empirical investigation of AI governance, politics and policy? What do they tell about who has the power to make AI (seem) powerful and who is left powerless? Innovative approaches to the concepts and methods for the study of power in AI are very much welcome as are empirical explorations unpacking visible and invisible power dynamics in AI governance and policy at national, regional and global level and their consequences for diverse social groups.

Title Details
Multiple Meanings of AI Governance: from ‘Getting it Right’ to Embracing Politics, Power and Participation View Paper Details
Policy Instrumentation in Platform Governance View Paper Details
Overseeing AI: Ombudsmen and New Regulatory Bodies View Paper Details
Unmasking Human-Centric AI: the Role of Political Organization in AI Policy View Paper Details