Nomazulu Moyo
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – In a defining moment at the third Summit for Democracy, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken underscored the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in bolstering democratic processes and safeguarding elections. Addressing a global audience, Secretary Blinken highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionise the fight against corruption and enhance the integrity of elections worldwide.
“Artificial intelligence stands as one of the most consequential forces shaping our future, our world, and the very fabric of democracy,” declared Secretary Blinken. He emphasised the critical role of AI in setting the norms and standards that will govern its use, ensuring that the technology’s vast opportunities are harnessed while protecting individuals from potential harm.
The Secretary pointed to Kenya’s deployment of an AI-enabled bot that provides women and girls with vital reproductive health information and Chile’s development of ‘Creamos,’ an AI tool designed to foster social change among the youth. In Ukraine, an anti-corruption organisation has collaborated with tech companies to create an AI system that meticulously documents attacks on cultural heritage and civilian infrastructure, bolstering the prosecution of war crimes.
However, Secretary Blinken also issued a stark reminder of the challenges ahead, noting that the world is on track to achieve a mere 12 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. He posited that AI could be the catalyst to accelerate progress on 80 percent of these goals, from combating hunger to preventing disease outbreaks and driving the clean energy transition.
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In his speech, Secretary Blinken also touched upon the upcoming elections in various countries, including Botswana, where the African Union has been actively engaged. He praised Botswana’s efforts in engaging regional bodies like the African Union to advocate for presidential term limits and the use of technology to ensure free and fair elections.
“Botswana stands as a beacon of democracy in Africa, demonstrating the power of technology to fortify the electoral process against corruption,” Secretary Blinken remarked.
The Secretary’s address also included a strong message on the protection of journalists, particularly during election periods. Recent data had shown a worrying rise in violence against journalists, often at the hands of law enforcement and Secretary Blinken called for better safeguards and a commitment from all states to ensure a safe environment for journalists to perform their crucial role in democracy.
“Journalists are the sentinels of democracy, and their protection is paramount to the preservation of our freedoms,” Secretary Blinken asserted. “We must defend those who strive to keep us informed and hold the powerful to account.” As nations around the globe prepare for elections, the words of Secretary Blinken resonate as a call to action, urging the international community to embrace the potential of technology in creating more transparent, accountable, and democratic societies.
