Bruce Schneier on AI and the Future of Democracy

Bruce Schneier on AI and the Future of Democracy

Author: Michael Baranowski October 1, 2025 Duration: 50:09
Mike talks with Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books. They focus on his latest book, co-authored with Nathan Sanders: Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship. Topics Mike & Bruce discuss include: Democracy as an information system and what that means for governance. How AI differs from past technologies in shaping politics. Government adoption of AI worldwide, from pilots to legislation drafting. The risks of hallucinations, deepfakes, and overconfidence in AI systems. Transparency, explainability, and legitimacy concerns around AI use. The promise of public AI versus corporate-controlled systems. AI’s role in legislation, lobbying, and citizen participation. Potential for AI to make bureaucracies more efficient without replacing humans. The dangers and opportunities of AI for authoritarian regimes. Why regulation of human use of AI—not just AI itself—is essential. Bruce Schneier on X The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of political conversations that feel more like shouting matches? The Politics Guys offers a different space, one built on civility and genuine expertise rather than partisan performance. Host Michael Baranowski guides discussions with a rotating panel of knowledgeable voices-political scientists, law professors, and attorneys who've worked within government. These aren't just pundits; they're practitioners and scholars who bring evidence and experience to the table. Each episode digs into the nuances of American policy and the political landscape, ensuring multiple perspectives are heard not as debate points, but as integral parts of a complex whole. You'll find the analysis here is grounded and deliberate, a conscious step away from the reactive news cycle. This podcast thrives on the principle that understanding different viewpoints is the foundation of a healthier democracy, not a compromise of one's own. It’s for anyone seeking depth over drama, and substance over soundbites, in their political listening.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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