{"id":142,"date":"2023-04-20T14:24:30","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T14:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/stats1\/?page_id=142"},"modified":"2026-02-13T15:50:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T15:50:26","slug":"ai","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/ai\/","title":{"rendered":"The Politics of AI, Algorithms and Data"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem);padding-bottom:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Politics of AI, Algorithms and Data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" \/>\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-a89b3969 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stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on-async--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/what-is-the-problem-represented-to-be-critical-policy-analysis-in-theory-and-practice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">What is the Problem Represented to be?\u00a0\u2013 Critical Policy Analysis in Theory and Practice<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-politics-and-governing-anti-foundational-analysis\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Critical studies of power, politics and governing \u2013 Anti-essentialist analysis<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/calendar-events\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Calendarium<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/about-us-contact\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">About us\/Contact<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"857\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/stats1\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Ska\u0308rmavbild-2023-02-22-kl.-11.16.13-1-857x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62\" style=\"width:1000px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Ska\u0308rmavbild-2023-02-22-kl.-11.16.13-1-857x1024.png 857w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Ska\u0308rmavbild-2023-02-22-kl.-11.16.13-1-251x300.png 251w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Ska\u0308rmavbild-2023-02-22-kl.-11.16.13-1-768x918.png 768w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Ska\u0308rmavbild-2023-02-22-kl.-11.16.13-1.png 959w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 857px) 100vw, 857px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Abstract<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contemporary developments in the areas of machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of algorithms that can be put to work on so-called \u2018big data\u2019 represent a significant leap in digitalization processes. Indeed, it is often stated that the combination of these new computational techniques and the seemingly endless streams of data produced by human interaction with various computer interfaces is one side of a fourth industrial revolution (4IR). So far, the research focused on these developments have largely treated AI, ML and algorithms as neutral instruments that can be deployed to help and enhance human lives in general, and produce more accurate, unbiased decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the contrary, for us, this development is particularly interesting because of its anti-political ethos and its profoundly political dimensions. Collectively, we refer to these new technological instruments as Automated Systems of Governing (ASG). We argue that such systems can never be positioned beyond politics or outside of prevailing governing rationalities. Since governing is not an activity restricted to formal political bodies, we may study the effects of ASG in a wide variety of settings. Currently, our research is concentrated around the following topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>From ethics to politics<\/em>.<\/strong> We are interested in why and how so much of the official political debates and governing structures of ASG is focused on ethics rather than politics. We conduct theoretical as well as empirical work on the implications of this ethics focus as we develop alternative ways of conceiving ASG. In particular, we seek to examine the conditions needed to politicize these new systems, which we argue would move the discussion beyond \u2018bias\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>ASG and the public sector<\/em>.<\/strong> We are interested in how the implementation of these new systems across the public administration have organizing effects in the sense that they rearrange existing structures, produce new subjects, enable new forms of expertise and advance certain political rationalities. In particular, we are interested in the diffuse public\/private arrangements that generally accompany the introduction of specific systems as they open up new spaces and venues for private interests and pose democratic questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The nature of ASG<\/em>. <\/strong>We conduct theoretical work on the ontology, epistemology and ideology of ASG. When doing so, we are interested in how ASG are being assembled and what sort of performative effects they can be said to have at a general level of understanding. In this context we draw on a longer legacy of social scientific studies of governing through numbers and statistics. Additionally, we ask what kind of machines ASG can be said to be, how they produce realities and how they do certain work in contemporary capitalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Data protection and surveillance<\/em>.<\/strong> We conduct policy analyses and genealogies where we trace how present discourses of competition and digitalization allows for a radical change in how surveillance is understood. We seek to show the conjunctions of political contestation that have led to a situation where far reaching mass surveillance by private firms is now accepted and even promoted as vital for growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-32dd617c49a5991f1f32ccd82d5e387e is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem);padding-bottom:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center\" style=\"margin-bottom:2rem;font-size:clamp(3.25rem, 8vw, 6.25rem);line-height:1.15\"><em>relevant publication<\/em>s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Padden, M. &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2024). Digitalisation, democracy and the GDPR: The efforts of DPAs to defend democratic principles despite the limitations of the GDPR.&nbsp;<em>Big Data &amp; Society<\/em>, 11(4), 20539517241291815. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/20539517241291815\">10.1177\/20539517241291815<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>R\u00f6nnblom M, Carlsson V and Padden M (2024) AI and ethics: policies of de-politicisation? In: Paul R, Carmel E, and Cobbe J (eds)&nbsp;<em>Handbook on Public Policy and Artificial Intelligence<\/em>. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 123\u2013132. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A., Carlsson, V. &amp; R\u00f6nnblom, M. (2024). Researching the politics of automated systems of governing: a thematic review. In Paul, R., Carmel, E., &amp; Cobbe, J. (eds.).&nbsp;<em>Handbook on Public Policy and Artificial Intelligence<\/em>. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp.27\u201339.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A., Carlssson, V. &amp; R\u00f6nnblom, M. (2023). Political studies of automated governing: A bird\u2019s eye (re)view.&nbsp;<em>Regulation &amp; Governance<\/em>, 0(0), 1\u201316. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/rego.12569\">10.1111\/rego.12569<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carlsson, V., R\u00f6nnblom, M. &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2023). Automated decision-making in the public sector. In Lindgren, S. (ed.).&nbsp;<em>Handbook of Critical Studies of Artificial Intelligence<\/em>. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, p.705\u2013715.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>R\u00f6nnblom, M., Carlsson, V. &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2023). Gender equality in Swedish AI policies. What\u2019s the problem represented to be?&nbsp;<em>Review of Policy Research<\/em>, 0(0), 1\u201317. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/ropr.12547\">10.1111\/ropr.12547<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carlsson, V. &amp; R\u00f6nnblom, M. (2022). From politics to ethics: Transformations in EU policies on digital technology.&nbsp;<em>Technology in Society<\/em>, 71 102145. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.techsoc.2022.102145\">10.1016\/j.techsoc.2022.102145<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Padden, M. &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2021). Protected how? Problem representations of risk in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).&nbsp;<em>Critical Policy Studies<\/em>, 15(4), 486\u2013503. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/19460171.2021.1927776\">10.1080\/19460171.2021.1927776<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Politics of AI, Algorithms and Data Abstract Contemporary developments in the areas of machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of algorithms that can be put to work on so-called \u2018big data\u2019 represent a significant leap in digitalization processes. Indeed, it is often stated that the combination of these new computational techniques [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":165,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-142","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/165"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":563,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142\/revisions\/563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}