Abstract /
Within the framework of the paper, the “techno-politics of AI” refers to the complex interplay between AI and the (geo)political structures, power dynamics, economic and normative implications, regulatory initiatives, narratives, and societal influences that shape and are shaped by AI technologies. The techno-politics of AI becomes evident as AI narratives, encompassing notions of power and disruption, are not merely rhetorical constructs but integral components of the broader techno-political and social landscape. In this respect, the analysis views AI systems as not neutral, but rather as a social construct influenced by the discourses, values, societal norms, economic and security interests, as well as the power structures of its creators, deployers, and users. Furthermore, the “techno-politics of AI” acknowledges that the creation and control of AI technologies are not evenly distributed. Certain regions and actors, such as governments, large corporations, or specific research communities, wield significant influence in shaping the narratives and by consequences the trajectories of AI’s development and governance. Overall, the research will explore the EU’s role in navigating five analytical axes concerning the techno-politics of AI, namely the geopolitical, governance/regulatory, economic security, transatlantic, and ethical dimensions of AI technologies. Special consideration will be given to an agenda for digital humanism, as a foundational step towards ensuring that AI progress aligns with ethical considerations, human rights, democratic values, and societal well-being.
Speaker bio /
Dr Raluca Csernatoni is a Research Fellow working on the nexus between European security and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Carnegie Europe in Brussels, Belgium. At Carnegie Europe, she is a senior research lead on new and disruptive technologies for the “EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative - EU Cyber Direct” project, and also leads Carnegie Europe’s research project on “The EU’s Constructive Techno-Politics of AI” supported by the McGovern AI Grant. Csernatoni is currently also a Professor with the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) and its Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS), at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. Additionally, at the CSDS, she is a senior research expert on digital technologies for the EU project on the “Indo-Pacific-European Hub for Digital Partnerships: Trusted Digital Technologies for Sustainable Well-Being – INPACE”. Recently, Csernatoni joined as a Visiting Faculty the Department of International Relations of Central European University (CEU) in Vienna, Austria. She is also a Co-Leader of the “Governance of Emerging Technology” Research Group with the Centre on Security and Crisis Governance, at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Canada. Csernatoni was a Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer with the Department of International Relations of the Institute of Political Studies, at Charles University in Prague, Czechia. She holds a PhD and master’s degree in International Relations from Central European University. Her published work appeared in academic journals such as Geopolitics, European Foreign Affairs Review, European Security, Critical Military Studies, Global Affairs, and European View. Her co-edited book, Emerging Security Technologies and EU Governance: Actors, Practices and Processes, was published with the Routledge Studies in Conflict, Security and Technology Series in 2020.