Time for a Minister for Digital Affairs and AI?
In the media image: Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash
There is an urgent need for stronger oversight of digitalisation and artificial intelligence warns Reijer Passchier, associate professor in Leiden and Professor of Digitisation and the Democratic Rule of Law at the Open University, in ‘Trouw’ newspaper.
Passchier warns that this important issue ‘risks being overlooked as no one in The Hague feels responsible for it.’ According to him, it is therefore high time that the topic has a permanent place on the agenda of the Dutch government. In the campaigns leading up to the recent parliamentary elections, it was clear that the political parties see asylum as the most urgent problem: 'An issue that pales in comparison to the current problems surrounding digitisation.'
Digitisation is mainly seen as progress and not so much as a problem, according to Passchier. But if there is no attention for how technology is designed or organised, this can have serious consequences. Technology can also bring about shifts in power which can pose a threat to democracy. Technology and society must therefore be considered in relation to one another.
Passchier doubts whether a separate Ministry of Digital Affairs could cover all these issues adequately. After all, digitisation is interwoven in all aspects of our society. He therefore believes it would be better for all ministries to bear responsibility for this important theme.
More information?
Read the full article in Trouw (€, in Dutch)