This chapter discusses the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) from the vantage point of political economy. By “political economy” I mean a perspective which emphasizes that there are different people and actors in society who have divergent interests and unequal access to resources and power. By “artificial intelligence” I mean the construction of autonomous systems that maximize some notion of reward. The construction of such systems typically draws on the tools of machine learning and optimization.

Simon Johnson, bestselling co-author of 13 Bankers, will be discussing his latest book at our special event. Together with coauthor Daron Acemoglu, they deliver a bold reinterpretation of economics and history that will fundamentally change how you see the world.

A thousand years of history and contemporary evidence make one thing clear. Progress depends on the choices we make about technology. New ways of organizing production and communication can either serve the narrow interests of an elite or become the foundation for widespread prosperity.

Does the current international Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) system inhibit or promote climate technology transfer and innovation in developing countries? This study summarises insights from a systematic review of the theoretical and empirical literature and 20 semi-structured interviews with key innovation experts (entrepreneurs, IP officials, and policy makers) in four developing countries (Bangladesh, Kenya, India, and South Africa).

Mark Paul will discuss his new book with Eric Beinhocker. The event is in-person and will take place in the Tun Razak Lecture Theatre at the Blavatnik School of Government. We will also stream the event via Zoom. Please register to receive the link.

BOOK DETAILS:

An urgent and galvanizing argument for an Economic Bill of Rights—and its potential to confer true freedom on all Americans.

Simon Sharpe presents his new book 'Five Times Faster: Rethinking the Science, Economics, and Diplomacy of Climate Change', in conversation with Professor Eric Beinhocker, Dr Nicola Ranger, and Professor Cameron Hepburn.

Christopher Morris runs a fortnightly discussion group. Please be aware that group attendance may be limited. It is required to contact Christopher (Christopher.Morris@politics.ox.ac.uk) in advance for availability. Meetings will run both in person and online.

In person location: Boyd Room, Hertford College
Online: Microsoft Teams

Cicero’s maxim salus populi suprema lex est—the health of the people is the highest law—has long held a fascinating and influential place within law and politics, not least given its prominence within John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government. It is also a maxim, sometimes a mantra, that is frequently found within works in public health ethics; a necessarily political field of applied philosophy. The maxim itself contains various points of inherent contestability. These include questions regarding the proper, or best, meaning of ‘salus’.

Why do some international institutions succeed and others fail?