From the New York Times –bestselling author of The Hacker's Mind and Data & Goliath an
informative and wide-ranging exploration of how AI will alter every facet of democracy and how
to harness the technology to distribute rather than concentrate power. AI is changing
democracy. We still get to decide how. AI’s impact on democracy will go far beyond
headline-grabbing political deepfakes and automated misinformation. Everywhere it will be used
it will create risks and opportunities to shake up long-standing power structures. In this
highly readable and advisedly optimistic book Rewiring Democracy security technologist Bruce
Schneier and data scientist Nathan Sanders cut through the AI hype and examine the myriad ways
that AI is transforming every aspect of democracy—for both good and ill. The authors describe
how the sophistication of AI will fulfill demands from lawmakers for more complex legislation
reducing deference to the executive branch and altering the balance of power between lawmakers
and administrators. They show how the scale and scope of AI is enhancing civil servants’
ability to shape private-sector behavior automating either the enforcement or neglect of
industry regulations. They also explain how both lawyers and judges will leverage the speed of
AI upending how we think about law enforcement litigation and dispute resolution. Whether
these outcomes enhance or degrade democracy depends on how we shape the development and use of
AI technologies. Powerful players in private industry and public life are already using AI to
increase their influence and AIs built by corporations don’t deliver the fairness and trust
required by democratic governance. But steered in the right direction AI’s broad capabilities
can augment democratic processes and help citizens build consensus express their voice and
shake up long-standing power structures. Democracy is facing new challenges worldwide and AI
has become a part of that. It can inform empower and engage citizens. It can also disinform
disempower and disengage them. The choice is up to us. Schneier and Sanders blaze the path
forward showing us how we can use AI to make democracy stronger and more participatory.
