Technology now plays a major role in public debate. Think of opinions shaped by conversations with ChatGPT, AI-generated images about migrants steering public discourse, algorithms serving everyone a personalised version of reality, and platforms like Meta and X determining in which language citizens are allowed to engage with one another.
Experts are critical of the role of social media in public debate. But what do citizens themselves actually consider important when it comes to public debate? And what role do they see for technology?
The Rathenau Institute spoke with citizens about what they want for the public debate of the future. In this session, we enter into conversation with experts: how do they interpret these ideas? And above all: how do we give voice to citizens' wishes for the public debate of the future?
This conversation will be recorded as an episode of the podcast Verrekijkers, in which researchers from the Rathenau Institute speak with scientists, policymakers, and politicians about current societal issues surrounding science and technology.