Subvolts take Understand AI's dual role in strengthening and straining democracy with security expert Bruce Schneier. Jan 27, 2026 - Business
- Understand how AI influences policy and public trust, crucial for navigating future regulations and market perception.
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Features a leading security expert discussing AI's societal impact on democracy, a critical area of ongoing development.
How is AI shaping democracy?
Audio streams from Daniel Whitenack and Chris Benson. Your place is remembered on this device.
From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Security expert Bruce Schneier joins hosts Daniel Whitenack and Chris Benson on Practical AI to discuss AI's growing influence on democracy. They explore how artificial intelligence impacts elections, governance, and citizenship worldwide, referencing Schneier's book "Rewiring Democracy." The conversation covers real-world AI applications in legal systems and public models, alongside the risks of concentrated power and how these technologies both support and challenge democratic structures.
This episode explains how AI is changing elections, laws, and how people participate in government. It explores both the good and bad ways technology can affect democracy, like giving more power to a few or helping citizens connect.
This episode offers a deep dive into the complex relationship between AI and democratic processes, featuring a renowned security expert. It's for anyone concerned about the societal implications of AI, from policymakers to engaged citizens. The discussion on AI's role in elections and governance connects directly to current debates surrounding AI regulation and its potential impact on public trust, areas actively explored by frontier labs like Google Gemini and OpenAI.
- HostDaniel Whitenack
- HostChris Benson
- GuestBruce Schneier
- Guest: Bruce Schneier
- Episode Title: How is AI shaping democracy?
- Show: Practical AI
- Length: 48 minutes
- Book Mentioned: Rewiring Democracy
Chapters from the publisher ↗ · Transcript ↗ Key moments and transcript search come with a later piece.
As AI increasingly shapes geopolitics, elections, and civic life, its impact on democracy is becoming impossible to ignore. In this episode, Daniel and Chris are joined by security expert Bruce Schneier to explore how AI and technology are transforming democracy, governance, and citizenship. Drawing from his book Rewiring Democracy, they explore real examples of AI in elections, legislation, courts, and public AI models, the risks of concentrated power, and how these tools can both strengthen and strain democratic systems worldwide.
Featuring:
- Bruce Schneier – X
- Chris Benson – Website, LinkedIn, Bluesky, GitHub, X
- Daniel Whitenack – Website, GitHub, X
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- Zapier - The AI orchestration platform that puts AI to work across your company. Check it out at zapier.com/practical
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- civic life
- Bruce Schneier
- how people participate in their communities and government
- governance
- Bruce Schneier
- the process of making decisions and rules for a group or country
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Questions people ask
- How is AI affecting democracy?
- AI is transforming elections, governance, and citizenship, impacting democratic systems worldwide by influencing legislation, courts, and public AI models.
- What are the risks of AI in democracy?
- The episode discusses the risks of concentrated power that can arise from AI technologies and how these tools can strain democratic systems.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Daniel Whitenack and Chris Benson.