The advent of the Internet, much like the invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century, has radically changed the world of information and its use by states, businesses, and individual citizens, influencing liberal democracies. This theme was explored during a seminar titled ‘The relationship between information, technologies, and democracy.’
On November 27, 2023, around thirty students from the EETIB consortium gathered for the first online event of the year on the topic of democracy. The workshop featured a presentation by Francesco Grillo, director of the Vision think tank and visiting fellow at the European University Institute (EUI) in Fiesole, connecting the momentous change brought about by widespread use of the internet to Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press between 1448 and 1454.
In preparation for this visit, students prepared various in-depth materials on the following macro areas:
– Electoral System and AI
– Freedom of Speech
– Cybersecurity and Privacy.
The students’ attention focused on ‘What is the impact of technologies on forms of participation, the formation of public opinion, and the functioning of institutions?’
Grillo began by explaining that the “fifth industrial revolution” is characterised by the explosion of information thanks to the Internet. In less than a quarter of a century, humanity has produced an enormous amount of data, comparable only to the spread of printed books after Gutenberg’s invention in the 15th century. This information explosion has grown exponentially, from 16 exabytes in 1999 to over 40,000 exabytes in 2020.
The Internet has made it possible to interconnect not only PCs, tablets, and smartphones but also objects, giving rise to the “Internet of Things” (IoT) and opening up prospects for the “Internet of Beings,” where humans themselves can interact directly with the network.
This revolution is distinguished by its speed in interacting and reaching users, as demonstrated by the rapid success of tools like ChatGPT, the generative AI launched on the market in just 2 months. Similar to the impact of Gutenberg’s press on the Church in the 15th century, the Internet has swept away information monopolies, allowing people to act independently of major newspapers, information giants, and publishers.
The widespread use of the Internet has also influenced the global political and economic landscape. The increase in Internet usage seems to be correlated with a decrease in the quality of democracy, contrasting with GDP growth. This “negative” correlation could be due to the lower efficiency of developed democracies in using technology in the service of citizens.
For example, Europe showed limited use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike some Asian countries that utilised social networks and big data for infection tracking. However, growing regulation in the European Union, especially regarding digital issues, has created uncertainty for businesses and could limit the development of new technological realities, countering the liberal approach to democracy.
This raises questions about the future of artificial intelligence and the necessary regulation. Grillo emphasised the need to educate people to be aware of their rights and able to protect their privacy, rather than excessively limiting technological innovations in the illusion of protecting citizens.
