Socrates Seminar: Good Tech – Good Democracy?
Digitalization changes almost every aspect of our lives – how we communicate, how we consume information, how we work, how we travel. It also greatly impacts democracy. In 2024, more than 40 percent of the world’s population find themselves eligible to vote in an election. In this super election year, democracy is going to be tested at a rate which has been unseen so far in the 21st century. Digitalization can improve democratic processes, improve communication, encourage civic engagement, and generally reduce governance costs. Digital tools can help hold governments more accountable, increase the power of civil society watchdogs, and make governance more accessible, open, fair, and responsive. However, the challenges are also many. Poorly managed digitalization can further erode political accountability and trust in public institutions where it is already low or under threat. Data-driven algorithmic models can undermine privacy or encode social inequalities (in particular, if data is insufficient or biased).
In this vein, ethical and philosophical questions have arisen in public discourse about democracy in the digital age. Considering the many challenges and opportunities that digitalization, and emerging technologies are posing, the question becomes: are today’s leaders adequately equipped to make values-based decisions on digitalization that will continue to strengthen our democracies and reinforce open, just and sustainable societies?
Socrates Seminar: “Good Technology – Good Democracy?”
In 2011, the Aspen Institute Germany introduced its flagship Leadership Seminar “Philosophy and Practice,” an intensive, four-day, moderated discussion of philosophical and practical texts on values-based leadership. Hosted in the beautiful setting of Gut Klostermühle close to Berlin, participants are given the opportunity to not only engage with a close reading of philosophical texts, but to reflect on how these teachings can be applied into daily lives and personal leadership styles.
The Socrates Seminar is Aspen Germany’s new and unique version of its Leadership Seminar that complements this original “Philosophy and Practice” seminar. It focuses on how digital technologies now and in future may affect our political, economic, and civil-society commitment to a fully functioning democracy, providing a forum for leaders from various professions to convene and explore contemporary issues through expert-moderated dialogue.
Participants are asked to contribute their understanding of and reactions to carefully selected readings, with the guidance of moderators who are experts in their sector. Participants develop an understanding of the reading material and formulate responses to the issues that they cover at the roundtable meetings. The seminar provides stimulating dialogue, values-based introspection, and dynamic debate that serves to enhance participants’ leadership capabilities.
Socrates Germany will examine the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on democracy through philosophical thought. The application for participation is now open!
Aimed at a diverse range of participants, the Socrates Seminar offers leaders from business, civil society, politics, journalism, and social media platforms the opportunity to take an intellectual approach to the emerging and central issues of our future. The seminar aims to foster philosophical reflection on digitalization to help cultivate an internal compass on digitalization, leading to stronger decision making for a more democratic future.
With the Socrates Seminar, Aspen Germany will honor its 50th Anniversary and demonstrate a deeper connection to the values of an open, democratic society and values-based leadership.
The seminar will take place at Gut Klostermühle, close to Berlin, on October 14-16, 2024. To sign up, please email leadership@aspeninstitute.de for more information.
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