Two-time guest Nate Persily is a professor of law and policy who studies the intersection of artificial intelligence and democracy. AI is creeping into democracy, he says, and 2024 saw its share of deepfakes and synthetic media, but with surprisingly little impact. His bigger concern is the opposite – politicians claiming the truth to be fake. It breeds distrust and, for democracy, that’s more pernicious, Persily tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

Episode Reference Links:

Stanford Profile: Nathaniel Persily

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Nate Persily, a professor of law at Stanford University.

(00:02:49) How AI Impacts Democracy

AI's role in influencing elections and its implications for democratic systems.

(00:03:38) Deepfakes and the Election

The limited impact of deepfakes and emerging disinformation trends.

(00:04:37) Is Skepticism Beneficial?

The role of skepticism in navigating AI-driven disinformation.

(00:06:06) AI and Social Media

How AI powers social media and its implications for democratic dialogue.

(00:08:40) AI Monopoly and Democracy

Risks of concentrated AI power among tech giants.

(00:12:03) Risks of Open AI Models

Balancing innovation and misuse risks of open AI models.

(00:17:20) Regulating AI

Global efforts to regulate AI and lessons from the European AI Act.

(00:19:54) The Global AI Race

The international race to balance progress and safeguards with AI.

(00:23:35) Global South and AI

The digital divide and role of open models in under-resourced nations.

(00:25:05) AI in Legal Practice

Potential and challenges of AI in law, from drafting to adjudication.

(00:28:55) Conclusion

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Adam-Troy Castro | Seed