#  If AI is Allowed to Drive Discourse, Can Democracy Survive? 

 





October 07, 2026

 

 

 [ Genevieve Wallace ](/people/genevieve-wallace) 

     ![event panelists at the smith center](/sites/g/files/omnuum9911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-10/safra_260924_171028-2.jpeg?itok=s2H8xAkJ) 

 



 

Say political engagement could be increased in a certain society by the introduction of effective artificial intelligence tools — but those living there would have fewer in-person interactions. Should such tools be adopted?

Our recent [Ethics in Real Life](https://www.ethics.harvard.edu/event/ethics-real-life-disagreement-age-ai) event featured leading voices in computer science, tech, economics, law, and philosophy offering a range of viewpoints, some of them contrasting, on how such an AI would affect public discourse.

In case you missed it, and you can read about these views in the [FAS Current](https://current.fas.harvard.edu/stories/if-ai-allowed-drive-discourse-can-democracy-survive), and the panel is now available on our [YouTube channel!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk4l3T4eVKI)



 

 

 

 [ Read the FAS Current article here arrow\_circle\_right ](https://current.fas.harvard.edu/stories/if-ai-allowed-drive-discourse-can-democracy-survive) [ Watch the panel on YouTube here arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk4l3T4eVKI)