When AI becomes the gatekeeper of the web
This session explores how AI systems increasingly shape the way people discover, access, and trust information online. Recommendation systems, AI-generated summaries, and conversational assistants are becoming key intermediaries between users and the web. Through a fishbowl discussion, participants will reflect on how AI influences participation, knowledge diversity, environmental and human rights, while exploring what meaningful governance and accountability could look like in an AI-mediated internet.
Format
Through a fishbowl discussion, participants will reflect on the role of AI in the digital world. This discussion is based on multiple rounds including: the potential role of AI as intermediary, the environmental impact of AI, diversity of information on the web as a result of AI, and the impact of AI on human rights and inclusion.
Further reading
- Internet Rights and Principles - https://internetrightsandprinciples.org/campaign/
- The Brookings Institution, Connecting the dots: AI is eating the web that enabled it -https://www.brookings.edu/articles/connecting-the-dots-ai-is-eating-the-web-that-enabled-it/
- United Nations Development Program, AI, gender bias and development - https://www.undp.org/eurasia/blog/ai-gender-bias-and-development
- United Nations Environmental Program, AI has an environmental problem. Here’s what the world can do about it - https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about
- Book | Buolamwini - Unmasking AI: My mission to protect what is human in a world of machines
- Book | Loewenstein - The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel exports the technology of occupation around the world
- Book | Mejias and Couldry - Data grab: the new colonialism of big tech and how to fight back
- Greenpeace, The energy and environmental impact of AI and how it undermines democracy -https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/82486/ai-energy-environment-democracy/
- World Economic Forum, Advancing data equity: An action-oriented framework - https://www.weforum.org/publications/advancing-data-equity-an-action-oriented-framework/
- Rathenau institute, Inclusive online: towards design of apps and environments where people can be free and safe - https://www.rathenau.nl/en/digitalisation/reviewing-relationship-technology-companies/inclusive-online-summary
People
Focal Point
- Stephanie Teeuwen, YOUthDIG Org Team