Artificial intelligence (AI) and institutional capacity

Institutional capacity refers to the ability of public institutions to fulfill their mandates, even under pressure. Robust institutions are a prerequisite for a resilient democracy capable of withstanding various forms of threats and challenges. This course examines institutional capacity in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) with a focus on how AI technologies such as algorithmic manipulation, deepfakes, and automated propaganda affect the ability of democratic institutions to manage threats. The course provides an overview of how Swedish public administration has changed over the past twenty years, with particular emphasis on the increasing use of AI technologies. Through an in-depth study of examples such as automated decision-making, the course analyses how these technologies impact key democratic principles such as accountability and transparency, and the consequences for citizen insight and influence.