Daily Distortions: Democratic Life in the Age of AI
Saturday, 25 April
14:30 – 16:00
Room: Zinneke
The idea of accelerating, disruptive artificial intelligence is ubiquitous. But that this narrative is spun by the very industry it nourishes doesn’t make it untrue. With the increasing adoption of AI and the roll-out of the huge infrastructures needed to sustain it, this technology is reshaping both how we live with profound implications for rights, justice and participation. In this session, participants will explore key questions with experts who will shine a light on different facets of AI, their implications for our democratic societies, and what we can do about it.
Speakers
Namita Kambli, Project Lead, Centre for Future Generations
Namita applies a social and environmental lens to the governance of emerging technologies. Her goal is to ensure both people and the planet have a fair shot in decision-making – now and in the future.
Kristina Wilfore, Director of Innovation and Global Projects at Reset Tech
Kristina Wilfore is a seasoned international elections and communications specialist with deep expertise in designing and leading programs that build democratic resilience. She has trained more than 2000 women politicians, journalists, and activists across 25+ countries, equipping them with the skills to counter digital threats, strengthen digital security, and engage in inclusive political leadership. From Western and Eastern Europe to the Americas, East Africa, and Middle East, Kristina has developed curricula, led high-level workshops, and facilitated strategy sessions with governments, philanthropies, and civil society organizations. As Director of Innovation and Global Projects at Reset Tech, she spearheads initiatives at the intersection of election integrity, masculinity, political violence, and information resilience, ensuring that capacity-building remains at the core of these efforts. In 2021, she co-founded #ShePersisted, an initiative that supports women leaders to confront digital harms—recognizing these attacks as threats to both democracy and human rights.
Shannon Vallor, Co-Director, Centre for Technomoral Futures, author The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking
Prof. Shannon Vallor is the Baillie Gifford Chair of the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh, where she serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Technomoral Futures and the UKRI BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) programme. Professor Vallor’s research explores how AI and robotics reshape human character and capabilities. She is a former AI Ethicist at Google, a standing member of Stanford University’s 100-Year Study of Artificial Intelligence, and the 2026 recipient of the Barwise Prize from the American Philosophical Association. Her most recent book is The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking (Oxford University Press 2024).
Oyidiya Oji, ENAR Policy and Advocacy Advisor: Digital Rights
Oyidiya Oji is Policy and Advocacy Advisor for Digital Rights at the European Network Against Racism (ENAR). She defends a transversal and sustainable relationship with EU institutions with a racial equality lens based on transparency and accountability as key principles. Previously, she researched and mapped projects of resistance and reappropriation of technology, with a special focus on AI. She was also part of artivism and digital community building collectives and organised meetings with people from underrepresented backgrounds in tech from across the globe.
