The present thesis discusses the employment of predictive algorithms in political communication, especially highlighting the negative impacts that causes, as history has proved and the present demonstrates. The widespread use of social media, the online political microtargeting logic, and the progress of Artificial Intelligence contribute to the rising of a problematic situation in which human beings’ democratic feelings are continuously under attack. Many factors like echo chambers, filter bubbles, cookies, and data markets erode critical thinking and the integrity of human actions, specifically decision-making. In an increasingly polarized society, large tech companies are growing and infiltrating political systems, starting with the communication field, which is considered the fourth power. However, while technology advances, individuals are losing control over their own citizenship role in the community. People would be less worried about having a thief inside their house than someone inside their phones. Social networks rule almost all human lives: they contain a vast amount of personal information while they are supposed to be safe. Nonetheless, they only appear safe. The negative impacts on democracy that they can bring are enormous, primarily because they do not permit dialogue between people and an aware participation in political life.

QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES? L'UTILIZZO DI ALGORITMI PREDITTIVI NELLA COMUNICAZIONE POLITICA

SALBEGO, ERIKA
2023/2024

Abstract

The present thesis discusses the employment of predictive algorithms in political communication, especially highlighting the negative impacts that causes, as history has proved and the present demonstrates. The widespread use of social media, the online political microtargeting logic, and the progress of Artificial Intelligence contribute to the rising of a problematic situation in which human beings’ democratic feelings are continuously under attack. Many factors like echo chambers, filter bubbles, cookies, and data markets erode critical thinking and the integrity of human actions, specifically decision-making. In an increasingly polarized society, large tech companies are growing and infiltrating political systems, starting with the communication field, which is considered the fourth power. However, while technology advances, individuals are losing control over their own citizenship role in the community. People would be less worried about having a thief inside their house than someone inside their phones. Social networks rule almost all human lives: they contain a vast amount of personal information while they are supposed to be safe. Nonetheless, they only appear safe. The negative impacts on democracy that they can bring are enormous, primarily because they do not permit dialogue between people and an aware participation in political life.
2023
QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES? THE EMPLOYMENT OF PREDICTIVE ALGORITHMS IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
IA
ALGORITMO PREDITTIVO
DEMOCRAZIA
POLARIZZAZIONE
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/67716