Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in governance; it’s a present-day reality shaping every facet of democracy. According to insights from Bruce Schneier and Nathan E. Sanders, AI is a powerful dual-use tool. How we integrate it into our civic and political systems today will determine whether it ultimately empowers citizens or becomes an instrument of oppression.

AI as a Tool for Centralized Control

One of the most significant risks AI poses to democracy is its ability to concentrate power. In both democracies and autocracies, AI offers structural advantages to those already in control. The technology allows executive leaders to bypass complex human bureaucracies and implement policy changes with unprecedented speed and precision. For example, an entire state’s administrative code could be revised by an AI to serve a specific ideology, efficiently removing regulations or protections. This automation gives any faction in power a potent tool to exert more control over the levers of government, often without public oversight, as many AI applications are adopted by officials without permission.

Leveling the Playing Field for the Public

Conversely, AI can also be a democratizing force. It provides outsiders and grassroots movements with capabilities once reserved for well-funded, established entities. Upstart political candidates can leverage AI to create personalized voter outreach, write blog posts, and even generate podcasts, allowing them to compete against powerful incumbents. Beyond politics, labor organizers are using AI-powered apps to report workplace safety violations and build collective power. The key is that AI can be wielded by those challenging the status quo, helping to level the playing field.

The path forward requires active public engagement. Citizens must Regulate harmful uses, Reimagine democratic processes, Resist applications that undermine public interest, and Reclaim the technology to ensure it serves everyone.

Source: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/10/will-ai-strengthen-or-undermine-democracy.html