Democracy in the digital age
Democracy in the digital age
Science & Technology

Tue. February 4, 6:30PM

Democracy in the digital age

A conversation between political scientist Asma Mhalla, technology ethicist Louis de Diesbach and philosopher Simon Brunfaut.

“All these technologies are supported by actors who have ideological agendas and are waging real underlying cultural battles. Their black box is not algorithmic, it is political”, Asma Mhalla, political scientist and author of the book ‘Technopolitique’ told L’Echo.


Together with Louis de Diesbach, a technology ethicist, and Simon Brunfaut, journalist and philosophy professor, Asma Mhalla will delve into how the Silicon Valley and its Big Tech players try to exert political power.


As the US are preparing for a new Trump administration influenced by Elon Musk, the discussion will explore how technology conveys a vision of the world that redefines the public sphere and shifts power away from democratic values. What remains of the democratic ideal in the age of global tech oligarchs? Can we reclaim collective narratives in the face of overwhelming technological influence?


Join us for a timely and thought-provoking conversation.

speaker

Asma Mhalla

Asma Mhalla is a political scientist and essayist. A doctor in political science and specialist in the geopolitics of AI and global tech, she is an associated researcher at the EHESS Political Anthropology Laboratory and a political science teacher. She advises governments and institutions in their technological public policy, and in February 2024 she published “Technopolitque” with Editions du Seuil.

speaker

Louis de Diesbach

Technology ethicist and consultant at BCG, Louis de Diesbach examines the deep ethical implications of technology on human values and societal norms. He focuses his work and his writing on the impact that our use of tech has on our relationship with ourselves and with others. He recently published his second book, "Bonjour ChatGPT", which questions how our relationship with chatbots impacts ability to build community.

speaker

Simon Brunfaut

Simon Brunfaut is a journalist at L’Echo for the Culture and Opinion sections, editorial consultant at the RTBF and professor of philosophy at ESA Saint Luc.
Start
Tue. February 4, 6:30PM
End
Tue. February 4, 9:00PM
Format
TheMerode Talks
Language
French (BE) / Français (BE)
Guest allowed?
Yes, 1 per member

Address

Event
Place Poelaert, 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Tue. February 4, 6:30PM
Conversation and Q&A
Tue. February 4, 7:00PM
Networking
Tue. February 4, 8:00PM
End
Tue. February 4, 9:00PM

Past Event