Introduction
Explore a collection of resources from Tectonica about technology, artificial intelligence, fake news, digital campaigning and their relationship to movement politics.
Organizing is Needed More Than Ever in the Age of AI
Author: Ned Howey
AI will be a disaster for our politics. And democracy more generally. Probably not in the way we are currently concerning ourselves, however. AI is not going to conduct a hostile takeover of our governments and rule over us. The machines are unlikely to rise up against us in some Terminator-like fashion. But the real threats are perhaps just as serious.
It’s not the machines themselves and their capabilities we need to worry about. It’s us and the way we will change ourselves with full integration of this technology: changes to our societies, and the way these societies make decisions for our populations. As always, humans are the problem.
Do Activist Androids Dream of Electric Voters? Part 1
Author: Ned Howey
The sweeping advancements in recent AI technologies are nothing short of monumental, arguably representing one of the most significant technological leaps in modern human history.
Comparable in impact to the Industrial Revolution, the full extent of AI’s influence is yet to be imagined.
However, this is less about the capabilities of the tools currently at our disposal and more about the rapid pace at which AI technology is evolving. For those deeply engaged with these technologies, the tremendous potential is not only palpable but imminent.
Do Activist Androids Dream of Electric Voters? Part 2
Author: Ned Howey
The age of AI isn’t looming on the horizon; it’s already arrived. The existential question we face is not whether to engage with AI or abstain from it.
Instead we must ask: Towards what intentions and objectives are we directing these tools?
We must consider the specific nature of AI, and its unintended consequences—especially those that could inflict systemic impact and harm.
Our considerations should extend beyond merely avoiding AI application for malicious use. We also need to protect our vulnerable state of democracy and consider to what degree these technologies are driving us further towards the transactional while damaging the transformational.
The Democratic Dilemma of AI: Navigating Ethical Challenges for Political and Advocacy Campaigns
Author: Ned Howey
The rapid adoption of New Generation AI in political campaigns necessitates reflection on ethical responsibilities. Through exploring fundamental principles and considerations for ethical norms, this article aims to generate dialogue that could help establish consensus and navigate the complexities of new generation AI implementation in campaigns ethically.
While we don’t advocate for banning use of new generation AI in politics completely, the time to identify risks and develop norms is now – before full integration of these technologies.
Digital campaigning – Scam or Superpower?
Authors: Ned Howey and Weronika Paszewska
Over the past few years, it’s been interesting to see how the general perception around the power of digital to influence our politics – both inside and outside of the industry – has changed.
From the excitement of the Arab Spring and Occupy days for Facebook or Twitter to seemingly magically spur organic movements that would change the world, to the fear that ‘almighty powers’ like Cambridge Analytica could ‘weaponise’ the internet with the dark political agenda of their clients.
These days though, there seems to be much – from studies to big failed campaigns – to question whether digital is really having much of an impact at all – or at least to the degree to justify the investments being made in it.
Fake News is a Fire – Don’t let it Burn down the House
Authors: Weronika Paszewska and Ned Howey
These days it feels like all the news is about fake news. Everywhere you turn another theory about its cause, its impact, and its proposed solutions seem to pop up. But one thing is clear: fake news is not going away.
The Capitol insurrection at the beginning of this year seems to have raised the stakes on how powerful threat disinformation is, with a good deal of discussion on the roots of these tragic events and learnings we can draw for other parts of the world (like Europe). We also agree on the interconnection between social media, disinformation, the rise of far-right politicians, and the weakening of democracy.
For organisations, electoral campaigns, and political parties, much of the questions that have been floating around is what to do if your campaign is hit by fake news that discredits it. And while almost every progressive campaign needs to take into account the disinformation environment we are currently living in, whether the campaign has been attacked or not.
About Tectonica and the Tectonica Organising Network (TON)
Tectonica is a movement building agency with a mission to create a seismic shift in the way politics are done, through innovations that empower social, economic, and environmental justice movements. With a broad array of strategic, creative and technological services, their work helps organisations, political parties, candidates and unions unlock transformational opportunities, build movement infrastructure, and run successful social and political campaigns rooted in people-power.
As part of its social mission, Tectonica hosts the Tectonica Organising Network (TON) – a community of progressive campaigners working and innovating to win social and political change through people-based power. The community is a centre for best practices, resources, learning, and sharing. People can join here.
Explore a collection of Tectonica’s resources in the Commons Library.