talkDemocracy & power concentrationBuilding societal resilience

AI safety should focus on democracy

7 July 2026 · 04:00 pm–04:25 pm · Refectory

Most safety researchers agree AI threatens democratic institutions. Yet those same institutions (fair elections, rule of law, government accountability) are what we’ll rely on to manage other AI risks. And if AI causes catastrophic disruption, strong democratic institutions will be essential for recovery without sliding into autocracy or state failure. Strengthening democratic resilience should therefore be a top priority for AI safety in Australia.

Speaker

Jamie Freestone
Independent researcher, Independent
A former academic (philosophy of mind & autonomous systems), I now do consulting & use this to fund my independent research & advocacy in AI safety. I'm especially focused on AI-based threats to democracy, including concentration of power in Big Tech, surveillance overreach by governments, & gradual disempowerment. I've worked on capabilities research, AI in the military, & AI policy work in the screen industry. I attended the 2024 forum.

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