Mark Coeckelbergh Wants “Democratic AI” to Build a Common World

Abstract

In Why AI Undermines Democracy and What to Do About It, Mark Coeckelbergh challenges the prevailing notion of AI as politically neutral, asserting that it amplifies threats to democracy. He explores how AI furthers technocracy, authoritarianism, and centralized power in the hands of corporate elites. Moreover, he shows that as AI-driven algorithms increase polarization and misinformation, they ruin the civic culture essential to democracy, including a public sphere of trust, tolerance, and rational deliberation that produces consensus. However, Coeckelbergh envisions a future where AI enhances democracy rather than eroding it. He advocates for "democratic AI" — technologies designed to support public discourse, serve the common good, and foster a common world. Through this principle underlying tech design, in addition to civic education and stronger oversight of Big Tech, he outlines a pathway toward reclaiming AI for democracy. While there are unresolved tensions, such as between liberty and the common good, Coeckelbergh offers a compelling philosophical framework to inspire actionable reforms.