Obama advisor visits Edinburgh Futures Institute for AI and democracy keynote

A technology expert who advised President Obama, Professor Beth Simone Noveck, visited Edinburgh on 2 June to discuss the impact of AI on the future of democracy.

Professor Noveck, former Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the White House and the United States’ first State Chief AI strategist, explored how – contrary to some assumptions – emerging technologies could enhance democracy.

The event, named Civic University – Democracy, AI, and the Public Imagination, took place at the University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute and online.

It examined how AI could strengthen participation in elections, enhance public trust and help with social problem solving, drawing on Professor Noveck’s vast experience, including leading President Obama’s Open Government Initiative and advising governments across the world.

The event also explored topics from Professor Noveck’s forthcoming book, “Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy”, including how governments should procure and deploy AI systems, how universities should change how they teach and what they research, and how companies and individuals alike can build AI for public good.

Professor Noveck was joined by the University of Edinburgh’s Professor Oliver Escobar to discuss the role of universities in enhancing democracy, and helping society adapt to political upheaval and high-speed advances in technology.

Together, they explored how society could harness AI for good and why – as Professor Noveck believes – Scotland is unusually well positioned to lead on this, ensuring that tech is built for citizens, not just consumers.

According to the latest data, autocracies now outnumber democracies for the first time in over two decades. As the home of AI in Europe and the oldest civic foundation in the English-speaking world, organisers said the University of Edinburgh is a fitting venue for such conversations on AI and society.

The event marked the start of Future University, a new Edinburgh Futures Institute series exploring how universities can evolve to meet the demands of an ever-changing world.

Professor Marion Thain, Director, Edinburgh Futures Institute, said: “As a Futures Institute we want to create space for imaginative conversations about the future role of universities. This event is part of a broader project in Edinburgh Futures Institute in which we reimagine what a university can be for society, and we are delighted to have Professor Noveck involved.”

Professor Oliver Escobar, Chair in Public Policy and Democratic Innovation, University of Edinburgh, said: “AI has an impact now on almost all aspects of our public life. How we as society harness and govern the opportunities that technology offers will be vital to the future of democracy. It is an immense privilege to host Beth, and I encourage people to come to hear from one of the world’s most forward thinkers.”