AI and Democracy: How AI Influences What We Think and Say

• Jurisdiction: European Union
• Year: 2024

Speaker

Agnes E. Venema is a researcher pursuing a dual PhD in intelligence and national security at the “Mihai Viteazul” National Intelligence Academy in Romania and the University of Malta. She is a recipient of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie scholarship for the ESSENTIAL research project on security science and emerging technologies. Her work focuses on Image Intelligence and the responsible use of emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) in security contexts. An expert on synthetic media (deepfakes), Venema has provided legal and political consultations in New Zealand, the UK, and at the EU level. She also offers capacity-building training in cybersecurity and produces research for government and non-profit clients.

Prior to her PhD studies, Venema worked in international security, including with the UN mission in Timor-Leste. She holds an LL.M. in Human Rights and Criminal Justice from NUI Galway and a Bachelor's degree from University College Utrecht, with a semester at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.

Topic

Agnes E. Venema discusses the influence of AI on elections, focusing on the rise of AI-generated campaigning methods and their impact on public opinion. Emerging AI tools, such as “robocalls” and the creation of viral content, are used to shape narratives, particularly through social media. This AI-driven disinformation can amplify the effects of echo chambers, where...