Founding Values: Protections for the Digital Age

Advances in artificial intelligence present new opportunities to strengthen democratic representation rather than weaken it. This talk explores how AI tools can be used to better inform the public, more effectively gather and interpret public input, and communicate citizens’ priorities to democratic representative bodies. By examining emerging mechanisms for large-scale civic feedback, deliberation, and policy communication, the discussion considers how digital technologies—when thoughtfully designed and governed—can enhance political representation, public understanding, and democratic responsiveness in the digital age.

Organized in partnership with the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability.
 

Steven Brown, PhD, is Associate Professor of Teaching in Philosophy at The Ohio State University. He received his BA from the University of Pittsburgh and his PhD from Ohio State. His research and teaching focus on cross‑cultural philosophy—especially Asian philosophy of religion and virtue ethics—alongside questions about pedagogy, technology, and human flourishing. He has a growing interest in how artificial intelligence can enhance philosophical education, support cross‑cultural understanding, and improve democratic engagement. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Brown collaborates with the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability, where he explores mission‑aligned uses of AI to strengthen public participation, contextualize global issues, and support informed governance. In 2023, he received Ohio State’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Founding Values is an event series designed for ASU and the surrounding community to distance ourselves from partisan politics and reflect on the values represented in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

The semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, offers us a unique and timely opportunity to ask if we are upholding those values, and what we can do as a community to protect those values—if we think that they ought to be protected.

In response to a call for proposed sessions, the Lincoln Center received many timely and important proposals from faculty, students and community members. We are thrilled to be able to offer support for such a diverse set of sessions through the event series.

Founding Values will host six events over three weeks: from April 15 to 28. The event series is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. 

For more information about the event series, please visit: lincolncenter.asu.edu/founding-values. 

Thank you to the Jack Miller Center for funding.