Johannes Himmelreich

In Democracy’s Mega Challenges: Climate Change, Migration, and Artificial Intelligence (Palgrave Macmillan)

Abstract

Democracies increasingly augment administrative decision-making with artificial intelligence (AI). This chapter argues that such AI augmentation can be a threat to democracy and unpacks the frequently misunderstood mechanisms through which human administrative decision-making supports democracy. Through case studies—from consumer protection, administrative statistics, and military contexts—the chapter shows how public servants contribute expertise, safeguard stability, resist political pressure, and hence serve the public interest. The case studies illustrate what I call “norms of responsible public service.” These norms not only explain how the AI augmentation of administrative decisions is a threat to democracy, but these norms can also guide AI governance in evaluating and suggesting policies. Such policies may include stricter validation requirements for high-stakes applications, “job protections” for AI models to prevent swift overhauls by new administrations, and limits on automation in domains where human discretion remains essential.