The Revolution of Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT and Strengthening Accountability Networks Among Civil Society

The Revolution of Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT and Strengthening Accountability Networks Among Civil Society

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various aspects of our lives, and one area where its impact is particularly evident is in language processing and communication. ChatGPT, a popular AI model, has been at the forefront of this revolution, showcasing the power and potential of AI-driven conversations. However, it is important to note that while ChatGPT provides information, it is not always entirely accurate. The messages generated by ChatGPT are often plausible but not always true, as they are based on patterns and associations rather than absolute facts. This highlights the fact that we are currently in the midst of a war—a technological war between companies striving to dominate the field of artificial intelligence, particularly semantic search engines and the use of the internet.

ChatGPT operates on a generative model, meaning that it generates words based on given texts. Its predictive abilities are similar to the autocorrect feature on our mobile phones. In 2017, the solution to the limitations faced by AI models like ChatGPT was introduced through a paper titled "Attention is All You Need" by researchers at Google. This paper presented a solution that allows the model to retain context even as it moves further away from the original text. However, as the length of the text increases, the meaning can begin to diminish. Additionally, the training process for these AI models is not easily parallelizable, posing a significant challenge.

While the impact of AI on language processing is impressive, it is crucial to recognize the role it plays in broader societal issues. Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) is a project aimed at promoting democratic accountability worldwide. It empowers civil society organizations (CSOs) to demand systemic change in addressing deficiencies in accountability and combating corruption in 21 countries over a 36-month period. The participating countries share common deficiencies in accountability and anti-corruption efforts, although the specific contexts may vary.

On the supply side of accountability, institutions often lack integrity and have weak supervisory bodies. This is further exacerbated by a fragile rule of law, making it challenging to enforce formal laws. The demand side faces challenges as well, with initiatives led by CSOs struggling due to the shrinking civic space and exclusion of affected communities from political and budgetary processes. Lack of integrity in public institutions, blurred lines between public and private spheres, clientelism, and politicized administrations contribute to a deficiency in accountability. These countries also face issues such as integrated clientelism networks, dark financing of political parties, unresolved conflicts of interest, and misuse of state resources.

Fragile rule of law in countries governed by abusive elites seeking personal economic benefits facilitates the diversion of resources and abuse of power. When political leaders deliberately limit the actions of independent supervisory institutions, they can manipulate funds and distribute resources in a partisan manner. Restoring balance requires strengthening actors to act as a counterweight to the executive branch and motivating formal or alternative forms of checks and balances.

One significant challenge is the reduction of civic space, as highlighted by various indices measuring democracy, freedom, and civic openness. Over the years, there has been a general weakening of democratic institutions and rights, along with a reduction in civil society space globally. Lack of public participation in decision-making processes is another concern, as greater public involvement has been proven to improve governance outcomes and reduce corruption. However, officials often exclude citizens from decision-making processes that significantly impact their lives. Lack of public knowledge and barriers to accessing information hinder citizen participation and demand for accountability.

To address these deficiencies in accountability and corruption, the SANCUS project focuses on empowering CSOs and citizens to engage with public officials and demand greater democratic accountability through various tools and methods. By raising awareness and providing possible solutions, the project aims to enable individuals, communities, CSOs, and targeted public institutions to demand greater accountability. The project emphasizes both vertical and horizontal accountability. Vertical accountability refers to citizens and their associations holding the state accountable, while horizontal accountability involves state actors formally demanding explanations or imposing sanctions on other entities as part of intra-governmental checks and balances.

SANCUS places particular emphasis on the demand side of vertical or social accountability, recognizing the increasing willingness of citizens to demand their rights and monitor the performance of rights guarantors. Additionally, SANCUS aims to empower national CSOs to exert pressure from the demand side on horizontal accountability mechanisms by engaging and cooperating with supervisory institutions to examine rights guarantors. Digital tools will also be utilized to enhance advocacy, monitoring, legal protection, and citizen mobilization. By capitalizing on digital tools and addressing factors such as internet access, digital literacy, and security risks, SANCUS aims to foster accountability in cases where information is digitized.

The expected impact of SANCUS's support for CSOs is a strengthening of democratic accountability through various forms of civic participation, including monitoring, consultations, and advocacy campaigns targeting corruption and rights violations. SANCUS seeks to not only protect but also expand the enabling environment for CSOs and citizens to demand accountability from rights guarantors, creating more opportunities to exercise their rights. At a deeper socioeconomic level, SANCUS aims to strengthen agency by incorporating informal coalitions within each country to demand greater accountability from the government while reducing incentives and opportunities for corruption. Politically and technically, SANCUS intends to identify bad practices and regulatory obstacles that hinder closer engagement between officials and citizen groups. The project targets public officials and rights guarantors to enhance long-term accountability on the supply side. The participating CSOs from 21 countries are the primary beneficiaries of this project, with supervisory institutions also being targeted to ensure their independence and fulfillment of constitutional mandates in the long run. SANCUS will develop monitoring mechanisms and evidence that can help these supervisory institutions improve their methodologies and protocols.

In conclusion, the revolution of AI, as exemplified by ChatGPT, has shown its potential to transform language processing and communication. However, it is essential to be mindful of the limitations and challenges associated with AI-generated information. At the same time, projects like SANCUS highlight the importance of democratic accountability and the role of civil society in demanding systemic change and combating corruption. By empowering CSOs and citizens, promoting civic participation, and leveraging digital tools, SANCUS aims to strengthen accountability networks and create a more accountable and transparent society. To contribute to this effort, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Promote digital literacy and access to information: Enhancing digital literacy and ensuring access to information can empower citizens to participate in decision-making processes and demand accountability.

• 2. Strengthen civil society organizations: Providing support and resources to CSOs can amplify their voices and enable them to advocate for democratic accountability effectively.

• 3. Foster collaboration and networking: Facilitating collaboration and networking among CSOs, as demonstrated by SANCUS, can enhance their collective impact and promote systemic change.

By embracing these recommendations, we can contribute to a more accountable and transparent society, harnessing the power of AI while addressing its limitations.