AI and the separation of powers within states

Abstract:Much research surrounding constitutional democracy and the rise of AI focuses on securing substantive fundamental values, such as privacy , equality and the freedom of speech. The consequences of AI for structural values, however, remains under-explored. Take for example the separation and equilibrium of powers within states. In a constitutional democracy, it is of vital importance that the different organs performing executive, judicial and legislative functions are more or less equally powerful and are capable of keeping each other in check. It has hardly been noted, however, that digitization and AI tend to make already too powerful (if not unbound) executives ever more powerful, relative to the other branches of government. Hence, due to the rise of AI, the functioning of checks and balances within states is under increasing pressure in many places. Understanding and counteracting this development is extremely important, as without structures allowing to effectively control the awesome powers of states in the age of AI, efforts to secure substantive values are probably in vain.

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Please contact Mischa Hautvast for the meeting link.