In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping society, robust governance has become imperative. As we forge ahead into an AI-driven future, a critical question arises: How can we harness this transformative technology to uplift the greater good while mitigating the perpetuation of biases and consolidation of power? Answering this requires the collaborative development of a comprehensive technosocial contract – one that prioritizes ethics, equity and the public interest over exploitative practices.
What is the social contract?
The philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed that life without government would be nasty, brutish and short. To escape this scary "state of nature," he said rational people would agree to a "social contract." In this contract, people give up some of their freedoms to a powerful leader or government in exchange for protection and security. The government gets complete authority to make and enforce laws, while citizens agree to follow those laws. Hobbes argued this social contract was necessary to prevent society from descending into neverending conflict, violence, and chaos. His ideas tried to explain why people should obey their government's authority based on their own self-interests. Subsequently, philosophers such as Locke, Rousseau, Kant and Rawls built on and reimagined the social contract in different ways related to rights, consent, justice and the legitimacy of political authority.
What is a technosocial contract?
People are starting to think we need a new agreement between the tech companies and all of us who use their services. At first, everyone was really hopeful about how the internet could change things for the better. But now, many feel that the big tech companies are making a lot of money while regular people and even governments who provide data aren't getting their fair share. Critics say the benefits of the data economy are going mostly to the companies that control the data, not to the people who help create it.
Some experts are calling for a re-examination of the social contract precisely because of the ways particular technologies influence and challenge societal norms, from standards of equality to democratic principles and foundations. A technosocial contract – an agreement and compact made amongst peoples and authorities and the technologies that structure and reshape the rules of the world. Any agreement where societies must negotiate power and responsibilities among their members is, by default, a technosocial contract.
Within this endeavor to develop a technosocial contract, philanthropy has a pivotal role to play. By strategically directing resources, the philanthropic sector can catalyze progress towards ethical AI governance frameworks and pave pathways for AI's positive societal impact.
The Urgency of Equitable AI Governance
The ubiquity of AI systems across domains like healthcare and criminal justice presents unprecedented opportunities alongside grave risks. Unchecked, AI can perpetuate systemic biases, erode civil liberties and concentrate power among tech titans. The US Senate's recent AI Policy Roadmap, though a constructive step, exemplifies the pitfalls of policymaking dominated by private sector voices. Its substantial $32 billion allocation for AI research lacks robust safeguards for human rights – underscoring the need for a democratic, holistic approach.
Philanthropy's Catalyzing Role
At its core, a technosocial contract represents society's shared vision for developing, deploying and regulating AI ethically. This pact must amplify democratic principles and community voices over corporate profiteering. As highlighted by the AIEI's Tom Philbeck, we must reexamine "what government and governance is really for" in this pervasive technological era.
1. Diversifying the Policymaking Table: By funding initiatives that bring civil society, workers, ethicists and marginalized groups into AI policy dialogues, philanthropy can counterbalance the private sector's dominance. This grounds policymaking in public interest and lived experiences.
2. Prioritizing Rights and Equity: Philanthropic funding can advance research, advocacy and policy development centered on protecting digital rights, preventing AI-perpetuated discrimination and promoting equitable access to AI's benefits.
3. Environmental Stewardship: Often overlooked, AI's environmental toll – from carbon emissions to e-waste – warrants philanthropic investment in mitigation and sustainability efforts.
4. Intergenerational Prosperity: With nearly half the global population under 25, forward-looking initiatives are crucial to ensure AI prioritizes future generations' needs over enterprise interests. Funding can support youth participation in governance and exploration of AI's long-range societal impacts.
5. Global Cooperation: As AI transcends borders, philanthropy can bolster platforms for international cooperation and knowledge-sharing on governance best practices.
6. Public Engagement: By resourcing AI literacy campaigns and dialogue forums, philanthropy can foster an AI-informed public able to engage in technosocial contract development.
7. Research for the Public Good: Directing grants towards studying AI's ethical, social and environmental implications – not just commercial R&D – can fill critical knowledge gaps.
Realizing the Technosocial Contract's Promise
The stakes are existential – will society cede control of its AI-driven future to private interests or co-create the technosocial contract? By leveraging its unique position, philanthropy can tip the scales towards realizing AI's transformative potential as a catalyst for justice, equity and shared prosperity.
Collectively charting an ethical course is an intergenerational imperative. With philanthropic resources buttressing democratic, long-term thinking over profit motives, we can forge an AI governance framework that empowers humanity to flourish. It's a vision worth striving towards – a future where we remain the captains steering technological progress, not its exploited passengers.
Additional resources
Shadow Report - PUT THE PUBLIC IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT: SHADOW REPORT TO THE US SENATE AI POLICY ROADMAP
Tech Policy Press - advancing a pro-democracy movement in tech and tech policy.
Technology Association of Grantmakers and Project Evident Framework