SIC News Interview
Adolfo Mesquita Nunes has released a new book entitled “Algorithmo Cracia”. The work reflects on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and democracy. In an interview with SIC Notícias, he explained the impact that algorithms have on society, especially the influence of anti-system parties such as Chega.
For the lawyer and former Secretary of State, AI is not just an innovation but one of the greatest challenges to the survival of Western democracies. Furthermore, it is amplifying populism and radicalizing discourses.
“Commentators, journalists, politicians all try to capture people’s attention, and everyone needs to play the game of algorithms (…) that is, everyone realizes that if they use stronger, more radical phrases, it will become more viral, it will have more support”, he explains, maintaining that “this is the ecosystem in which we are living and all the actors adapt to it”.
Asked about the controversial posters of the candidate for President of the Republic, André Ventura, Adolfo Mesquita Nunes explains that “society has already become anesthetized (…) we already think all this is normal, it is just another excess”.
“Why is it that so many people with whom I have worked politically do not revolt, do not become indignant, beyond what is acceptable? These phrases are not just intended to captivate those who think like him [André Ventura]have the ability to put the problem of immigration on the agenda and this is particularly effective”.
But why is the issue of immigration worrying? “Why do algorithms contribute to this? If I see a video every day of immigrants robbing stores or killing people, I’m really convinced that we have an immigration problem. (…) This is a kind of prophecy that comes true autonomously”.
The truth is, he adds, “we all stay attached longer [aos ecrãs] for content that outrages us, revolts us, hates us, shocks us. Therefore, there are paths to radicalization.”
Furthermore, he adds, “there is a kind of carte blanche” that is given “to anti-system parties because people feel vindicated whenever they attack in any way the consensus established by the system”.
