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Can We Replace Politicians With Machines? | Alvin Carpio | TEDxOTHRegensburg


I could evening everyone good an are

I could evening everyone good an are bent the gates they’re good yeah that’s

bent the gates they’re good yeah that’s

bent the gates they’re good yeah that’s what a German I know but it’s absolutely

what a German I know but it’s absolutely

what a German I know but it’s absolutely wonderful to be here to be with you

wonderful to be here to be with you

wonderful to be here to be with you today to speak in Regensburg but also to

today to speak in Regensburg but also to

today to speak in Regensburg but also to speak to the Ted community around the

speak to the Ted community around the

speak to the Ted community around the world as was said and my name is Alvin

world as was said and my name is Alvin

world as was said and my name is Alvin carpio and ironic globe community called

carpio and ironic globe community called

carpio and ironic globe community called for fourth group we’re a global

for fourth group we’re a global

for fourth group we’re a global community looking at the intersection

community looking at the intersection

community looking at the intersection between politics and technology so we

between politics and technology so we

between politics and technology so we already know how much technology is

already know how much technology is

already know how much technology is impacting the way economies and

impacting the way economies and

impacting the way economies and societies work but big question is how

societies work but big question is how

societies work but big question is how does politics respond and this has come

does politics respond and this has come

does politics respond and this has come up to a number of big debates and issues

up to a number of big debates and issues

up to a number of big debates and issues and today we’re going to be talking

and today we’re going to be talking

and today we’re going to be talking about and one of those from the hilltops

about and one of those from the hilltops

about and one of those from the hilltops of ancient Greece where we saw the birth

of ancient Greece where we saw the birth

of ancient Greece where we saw the birth of Western democracy to the 17th century

of Western democracy to the 17th century

of Western democracy to the 17th century England where we saw the genesis of

England where we saw the genesis of

England where we saw the genesis of political parties from the birth of the

political parties from the birth of the

political parties from the birth of the United Nations after warring nations

United Nations after warring nations

United Nations after warring nations decided that they wanted to come

decided that they wanted to come

decided that they wanted to come together after the Second World War for

together after the Second World War for

together after the Second World War for peace and prosperity and to the streets

peace and prosperity and to the streets

peace and prosperity and to the streets and neighborhoods in East London and

and neighborhoods in East London and

and neighborhoods in East London and small cities like Regensburg politicians

small cities like Regensburg politicians

small cities like Regensburg politicians have led many changes and achieved great

have led many changes and achieved great

have led many changes and achieved great things by leading communities nations

things by leading communities nations

things by leading communities nations and world two of those people include

and world two of those people include

and world two of those people include some of my heroes first one is Nelson

some of my heroes first one is Nelson

some of my heroes first one is Nelson Mandela as we know somebody who enjoyed

Mandela as we know somebody who enjoyed

Mandela as we know somebody who enjoyed great sacrifices to fight against racism

great sacrifices to fight against racism

great sacrifices to fight against racism and apartheid in South Africa Corazon

and apartheid in South Africa Corazon

and apartheid in South Africa Corazon Aquino who in the Philippines fought a

Aquino who in the Philippines fought a

Aquino who in the Philippines fought a dictatorship using people power and

dictatorship using people power and

dictatorship using people power and overthrew that dictatorship and of

overthrew that dictatorship and of

overthrew that dictatorship and of course

course

course JFK who was a person who had the vision

JFK who was a person who had the vision

JFK who was a person who had the vision and audacity to say we’re going to land

and audacity to say we’re going to land

and audacity to say we’re going to land on the moon some of these politicians

on the moon some of these politicians

on the moon some of these politicians have inspired me yourself and many

have inspired me yourself and many

have inspired me yourself and many others around the world for our history

others around the world for our history

others around the world for our history but let’s look at things today it’s not

but let’s look at things today it’s not

but let’s look at things today it’s not as rosy here is a graph which shows some

as rosy here is a graph which shows some

as rosy here is a graph which shows some of the most trustworthy professions as

of the most trustworthy professions as

of the most trustworthy professions as you can guess doctors on your the top

you can guess doctors on your the top

you can guess doctors on your the top you will see that politicians are

you will see that politicians are

you will see that politicians are nowhere to be seen and only 21% of

nowhere to be seen and only 21% of

nowhere to be seen and only 21% of people

people

people in this survey said they trusted

in this survey said they trusted

in this survey said they trusted politicians another one which is real

politicians another one which is real

politicians another one which is real interesting this is more recent can you

interesting this is more recent can you

interesting this is more recent can you read out one in four bricks who were

read out one in four bricks who were

read out one in four bricks who were surveyed said that robots and artificial

surveyed said that robots and artificial

surveyed said that robots and artificial intelligence could be more trusted from

intelligence could be more trusted from

intelligence could be more trusted from politicians I mean think about 26% of

politicians I mean think about 26% of

politicians I mean think about 26% of people who have said they’d rather trust

people who have said they’d rather trust

people who have said they’d rather trust the machine then people have been

the machine then people have been

the machine then people have been elected to office and so we wanted to

elected to office and so we wanted to

elected to office and so we wanted to write really big in today and what’s

write really big in today and what’s

write really big in today and what’s really happening and take it a step

really happening and take it a step

really happening and take it a step further and ask if that’s the case could

further and ask if that’s the case could

further and ask if that’s the case could we replace politicians with robots and

we replace politicians with robots and

we replace politicians with robots and machines a funny questioning might seem

machines a funny questioning might seem

machines a funny questioning might seem however when you look at what’s happened

however when you look at what’s happened

however when you look at what’s happened in the labor market currently we’re

in the labor market currently we’re

in the labor market currently we’re already seeing this from the bricklayers

already seeing this from the bricklayers

already seeing this from the bricklayers to lawyers in law firms and also

to lawyers in law firms and also

to lawyers in law firms and also driverless cars we’re seeing massive

driverless cars we’re seeing massive

driverless cars we’re seeing massive changes the labor market so much so that

changes the labor market so much so that

changes the labor market so much so that a quarter of a million jobs in the UK in

a quarter of a million jobs in the UK in

a quarter of a million jobs in the UK in terms of the public sector are

terms of the public sector are

terms of the public sector are threatened to be lost in the next few

threatened to be lost in the next few

threatened to be lost in the next few years and in the u.s. all of six percent

years and in the u.s. all of six percent

years and in the u.s. all of six percent of all US jobs are looking to be

of all US jobs are looking to be

of all US jobs are looking to be automated by 2021 so be scared in a way

automated by 2021 so be scared in a way

automated by 2021 so be scared in a way because AI could be coming for you and

because AI could be coming for you and

because AI could be coming for you and no job is actually protected from that

no job is actually protected from that

no job is actually protected from that so in order to do this let’s go into

so in order to do this let’s go into

so in order to do this let’s go into this let’s let’s have a little debate so

this let’s let’s have a little debate so

this let’s let’s have a little debate so in order to see whether or not we can

in order to see whether or not we can

in order to see whether or not we can actually practically automate a

actually practically automate a

actually practically automate a politician let’s break it down into

politician let’s break it down into

politician let’s break it down into tasks that politicians are supposed to

tasks that politicians are supposed to

tasks that politicians are supposed to do first one is around reaching out to

do first one is around reaching out to

do first one is around reaching out to voters during election time second one

voters during election time second one

voters during election time second one is around addressing problems and the

is around addressing problems and the

is around addressing problems and the third is making really tough decisions

third is making really tough decisions

third is making really tough decisions on a daily basis first one reaching out

on a daily basis first one reaching out

on a daily basis first one reaching out to voters one of the biggest ways that

to voters one of the biggest ways that

to voters one of the biggest ways that current politicians reach out to voters

current politicians reach out to voters

current politicians reach out to voters to win elections is by knocking on doors

to win elections is by knocking on doors

to win elections is by knocking on doors going out to the streets and speaking to

going out to the streets and speaking to

going out to the streets and speaking to people directly and but what’s

people directly and but what’s

people directly and but what’s interesting is that if a person were to

interesting is that if a person were to

interesting is that if a person were to run for Prime Minister in the UK and to

run for Prime Minister in the UK and to

run for Prime Minister in the UK and to speak to 60 million of those citizens

speak to 60 million of those citizens

speak to 60 million of those citizens she would only have 2.4 seconds with

she would only have 2.4 seconds with

she would only have 2.4 seconds with each person in a whole five years not

each person in a whole five years not

each person in a whole five years not much time to really have it obey and

much time to really have it obey and

much time to really have it obey and find out what people want

find out what people want

find out what people want we compare that to algorithms which are

we compare that to algorithms which are

we compare that to algorithms which are capable of amassing huge amounts of data

capable of amassing huge amounts of data

capable of amassing huge amounts of data on a regular basis real-time which is

on a regular basis real-time which is

on a regular basis real-time which is able to make a pattern analysis and so

able to make a pattern analysis and so

able to make a pattern analysis and so forth and so much so that Facebook can

forth and so much so that Facebook can

forth and so much so that Facebook can know who you’re going to vote for based

know who you’re going to vote for based

know who you’re going to vote for based on your likes

on your likes

on your likes so don’t if you know this but actually

so don’t if you know this but actually

so don’t if you know this but actually if you’re a Bob Marley fan any Bob

if you’re a Bob Marley fan any Bob

if you’re a Bob Marley fan any Bob Marley fans all mighty fans if you if

Marley fans all mighty fans if you if

Marley fans all mighty fans if you if you like Bob Marley on Facebook you’re

you like Bob Marley on Facebook you’re

you like Bob Marley on Facebook you’re more likely to be a Democrat in the US

more likely to be a Democrat in the US

more likely to be a Democrat in the US any any country music fans well if you

any any country music fans well if you

any any country music fans well if you vote if you like country music you’re

vote if you like country music you’re

vote if you like country music you’re more likely to be a Republican and

more likely to be a Republican and

more likely to be a Republican and what’s really fascinating is that our

what’s really fascinating is that our

what’s really fascinating is that our company is currently doing using this

company is currently doing using this

company is currently doing using this information on social media to create

information on social media to create

information on social media to create advertisements to every single person

advertisements to every single person

advertisements to every single person based on the Facebook Likes and this

based on the Facebook Likes and this

based on the Facebook Likes and this happened in the US which helped and the

happened in the US which helped and the

happened in the US which helped and the current president win his election and

current president win his election and

current president win his election and so already we’re seeing artificial

so already we’re seeing artificial

so already we’re seeing artificial intelligence play a huge role in winning

intelligence play a huge role in winning

intelligence play a huge role in winning elections the question is could it

elections the question is could it

elections the question is could it automate a politician’s task of doing so

automate a politician’s task of doing so

automate a politician’s task of doing so yes it can what for me is so amazing

yes it can what for me is so amazing

yes it can what for me is so amazing though is that we’re already seeing the

though is that we’re already seeing the

though is that we’re already seeing the blurring of lines between technology and

blurring of lines between technology and

blurring of lines between technology and politics and this is Modi from India

politics and this is Modi from India

politics and this is Modi from India actually if you look closely you’ll

actually if you look closely you’ll

actually if you look closely you’ll realize actually it’s not Modi this is a

realize actually it’s not Modi this is a

realize actually it’s not Modi this is a hologram of Modi so Narenda Modi ran to

hologram of Modi so Narenda Modi ran to

hologram of Modi so Narenda Modi ran to be the Prime Minister of India and he

be the Prime Minister of India and he

be the Prime Minister of India and he actually had Holograms in multiple

actually had Holograms in multiple

actually had Holograms in multiple different places across the country

different places across the country

different places across the country speaking to tens of thousands of voters

speaking to tens of thousands of voters

speaking to tens of thousands of voters who are effectively clapping and

who are effectively clapping and

who are effectively clapping and cheering for a figment of their

cheering for a figment of their

cheering for a figment of their imagination

imagination

imagination literally a hologram imagine this but

literally a hologram imagine this but

literally a hologram imagine this but actually replacing a human being with an

actually replacing a human being with an

actually replacing a human being with an AI who can look however you want it

AI who can look however you want it

AI who can look however you want it could look like yourself it could look

could look like yourself it could look

could look like yourself it could look like someone you really fancy it could

like someone you really fancy it could

like someone you really fancy it could like to be the person of your dreams

like to be the person of your dreams

like to be the person of your dreams effectively trying to use the

effectively trying to use the

effectively trying to use the information that they have on big data

information that they have on big data

information that they have on big data and with a fictional and character

and with a fictional and character

and with a fictional and character alright let’s go into the second one

alright let’s go into the second one

alright let’s go into the second one second tasks that politicians are

second tasks that politicians are

second tasks that politicians are looking to do are around addressing

looking to do are around addressing

looking to do are around addressing problems and so in the UK politicians

problems and so in the UK politicians

problems and so in the UK politicians run surgeries and where they affect your

run surgeries and where they affect your

run surgeries and where they affect your dress problems think of it like a doctor

dress problems think of it like a doctor

dress problems think of it like a doctor but instead of going to see a doctor and

but instead of going to see a doctor and

but instead of going to see a doctor and to talk about you know and it

to talk about you know and it

to talk about you know and it or a injury you’ve had you actually go

or a injury you’ve had you actually go

or a injury you’ve had you actually go to talked about the fact that there’s a

to talked about the fact that there’s a

to talked about the fact that there’s a lack of school places for your kids or

lack of school places for your kids or

lack of school places for your kids or the fact that crime has gone up or the

the fact that crime has gone up or the

the fact that crime has gone up or the fact that you want something to be done

fact that you want something to be done

fact that you want something to be done to get benefits because you’re really

to get benefits because you’re really

to get benefits because you’re really struggling question can artificial

struggling question can artificial

struggling question can artificial intelligence do that job well yes you

intelligence do that job well yes you

intelligence do that job well yes you know what it is

know what it is

know what it is and you’ve got also smartphones all in

and you’ve got also smartphones all in

and you’ve got also smartphones all in your pockets every day millions of

your pockets every day millions of

your pockets every day millions of people speak to home devices smart

people speak to home devices smart

people speak to home devices smart speakers smart phones asking echo and

speakers smart phones asking echo and

speakers smart phones asking echo and Siri can you tell me what the weather

Siri can you tell me what the weather

Siri can you tell me what the weather like which finally is looking really

like which finally is looking really

like which finally is looking really wonderful here or can you order flowers

wonderful here or can you order flowers

wonderful here or can you order flowers because I forgot this Valentine’s Day

because I forgot this Valentine’s Day

because I forgot this Valentine’s Day and my girlfriend’s going to be very

and my girlfriend’s going to be very

and my girlfriend’s going to be very angry and the next day instead of that

angry and the next day instead of that

angry and the next day instead of that why don’t we repurpose that and say

why don’t we repurpose that and say

why don’t we repurpose that and say let’s have a type of device where you

let’s have a type of device where you

let’s have a type of device where you speak to it about your political issues

speak to it about your political issues

speak to it about your political issues around as I said education unemployment

around as I said education unemployment

around as I said education unemployment welfare and you could effectively use

welfare and you could effectively use

welfare and you could effectively use the information and data and devices

the information and data and devices

the information and data and devices that are available today and repackage

that are available today and repackage

that are available today and repackage that to be a politician AI I’m going to

that to be a politician AI I’m going to

that to be a politician AI I’m going to give you a bonus one I don’t if you can

give you a bonus one I don’t if you can

give you a bonus one I don’t if you can see this but one thing I realized after

see this but one thing I realized after

see this but one thing I realized after working with politicians and for a very

working with politicians and for a very

working with politicians and for a very long time is that politicians love to

long time is that politicians love to

long time is that politicians love to open up things and they particularly

open up things and they particularly

open up things and they particularly like to cut ribbons to open up new

like to cut ribbons to open up new

like to cut ribbons to open up new buildings so here’s a bonus task here is

buildings so here’s a bonus task here is

buildings so here’s a bonus task here is a robot cutting ribbon and a politician

a robot cutting ribbon and a politician

a robot cutting ribbon and a politician next to the robot really worried that

next to the robot really worried that

next to the robot really worried that he’s going to take a job I’m going to

he’s going to take a job I’m going to

he’s going to take a job I’m going to end on one other example which is a bit

end on one other example which is a bit

end on one other example which is a bit more tougher so the first three examples

more tougher so the first three examples

more tougher so the first three examples were kind of examples of things which

were kind of examples of things which

were kind of examples of things which are based on big data and analyzing but

are based on big data and analyzing but

are based on big data and analyzing but actually making decisions that’s a

actually making decisions that’s a

actually making decisions that’s a totally different perspective in

totally different perspective in

totally different perspective in question and we already know that a is

question and we already know that a is

question and we already know that a is capable of beating chess Grand Champions

capable of beating chess Grand Champions

capable of beating chess Grand Champions and we also know that AI is able to beat

and we also know that AI is able to beat

and we also know that AI is able to beat go champions and what’s even more

go champions and what’s even more

go champions and what’s even more fascinating is the fact that these

fascinating is the fact that these

fascinating is the fact that these algorithms are being used in this case

algorithms are being used in this case

algorithms are being used in this case in a financial sector for venture

in a financial sector for venture

in a financial sector for venture capital firm so eventually capital firm

capital firm so eventually capital firm

capital firm so eventually capital firm and this is a true story appointed an

and this is a true story appointed an

and this is a true story appointed an algorithm on its board so it had voting

algorithm on its board so it had voting

algorithm on its board so it had voting rights

rights

rights it made decisions

it made decisions

it made decisions and they trusted that AI with all of its

and they trusted that AI with all of its

and they trusted that AI with all of its financial capabilities and to make

financial capabilities and to make

financial capabilities and to make choices about whether or not to invest

choices about whether or not to invest

choices about whether or not to invest in something we’re talking about a

in something we’re talking about a

in something we’re talking about a company who is putting trust and so how

company who is putting trust and so how

company who is putting trust and so how about instead of looking at financial

about instead of looking at financial

about instead of looking at financial issues why do we think about political

issues why do we think about political

issues why do we think about political issues again a very specific example one

issues again a very specific example one

issues again a very specific example one of the big challenges that politicians

of the big challenges that politicians

of the big challenges that politicians have is around what to cut in terms of

have is around what to cut in terms of

have is around what to cut in terms of services if you know funds are low or

services if you know funds are low or

services if you know funds are low or which policies to propose and whether it

which policies to propose and whether it

which policies to propose and whether it be in health care or in foreign policy

be in health care or in foreign policy

be in health care or in foreign policy and what you could effectively do is use

and what you could effectively do is use

and what you could effectively do is use algorithms and artificial intelligence

algorithms and artificial intelligence

algorithms and artificial intelligence to ask a different type of question

to ask a different type of question

to ask a different type of question which is if we do this policy what is

which is if we do this policy what is

which is if we do this policy what is the likely outcome if we do the other

the likely outcome if we do the other

the likely outcome if we do the other policy what is the other likely outcome

policy what is the other likely outcome

policy what is the other likely outcome and therefore player out for modeling

and therefore player out for modeling

and therefore player out for modeling whether or not we can trust an algorithm

whether or not we can trust an algorithm

whether or not we can trust an algorithm to be part of the cabinet within a

to be part of the cabinet within a

to be part of the cabinet within a ministerial team is another question but

ministerial team is another question but

ministerial team is another question but I’ll leave it to you what’s fascinating

I’ll leave it to you what’s fascinating

I’ll leave it to you what’s fascinating is the fact that so much change is

is the fact that so much change is

is the fact that so much change is happening before our eyes and we don’t

happening before our eyes and we don’t

happening before our eyes and we don’t even realize it’s actually happening

even realize it’s actually happening

even realize it’s actually happening this is not science fiction

this is not science fiction

this is not science fiction last week my friend is my friend Julia

last week my friend is my friend Julia

last week my friend is my friend Julia and I was on Instagram last week

and I was on Instagram last week

and I was on Instagram last week scrolling through trying to write this

scrolling through trying to write this

scrolling through trying to write this TED talk and I see a photo of her and

TED talk and I see a photo of her and

TED talk and I see a photo of her and it’s actually her connected to a

it’s actually her connected to a

it’s actually her connected to a computer so she’s connected a computer

computer so she’s connected a computer

computer so she’s connected a computer and she’s able to interact with the

and she’s able to interact with the

and she’s able to interact with the computer and so forth and this is

computer and so forth and this is

computer and so forth and this is already happening today so this is not

already happening today so this is not

already happening today so this is not science fiction I mean imagine you can

science fiction I mean imagine you can

science fiction I mean imagine you can almost have super politicians which are

almost have super politicians which are

almost have super politicians which are connected to all of the world’s data and

connected to all of the world’s data and

connected to all of the world’s data and able to make decisions based on

able to make decisions based on

able to make decisions based on everything that you’ve posted on

everything that you’ve posted on

everything that you’ve posted on Facebook which could be quite worrying

Facebook which could be quite worrying

Facebook which could be quite worrying and so yeah the point is here is that

and so yeah the point is here is that

and so yeah the point is here is that this this is happening and it’s a big

this this is happening and it’s a big

this this is happening and it’s a big question about what we want to do about

question about what we want to do about

question about what we want to do about it

it

it so those are four tasks reaching out to

so those are four tasks reaching out to

so those are four tasks reaching out to voters addressing problems cutting

voters addressing problems cutting

voters addressing problems cutting ribbons decision making these are four

ribbons decision making these are four

ribbons decision making these are four examples of tasks which politicians are

examples of tasks which politicians are

examples of tasks which politicians are and doing on a regular basis which can

and doing on a regular basis which can

and doing on a regular basis which can be automated but when it comes to

be automated but when it comes to

be automated but when it comes to automation I’m gonna like to end on this

automation I’m gonna like to end on this

automation I’m gonna like to end on this the big question is not necessarily

the big question is not necessarily

the big question is not necessarily whether or not it’s possible it’s

whether or not it’s possible it’s

whether or not it’s possible it’s whether or not it’s ethically something

whether or not it’s ethically something

whether or not it’s ethically something that as humanity you want to do so when

that as humanity you want to do so when

that as humanity you want to do so when you talk about the automation of jobs

you talk about the automation of jobs

you talk about the automation of jobs like Brickley

like Brickley

like Brickley is like lawyers like doctors like

is like lawyers like doctors like

is like lawyers like doctors like drivers and in this case politicians do

drivers and in this case politicians do

drivers and in this case politicians do we need to take a step back and really

we need to take a step back and really

we need to take a step back and really think about the consequences for

think about the consequences for

think about the consequences for Humanity based on this stuff or should

Humanity based on this stuff or should

Humanity based on this stuff or should we actually embrace it and take the

we actually embrace it and take the

we actually embrace it and take the opportunity and say this is great we are

opportunity and say this is great we are

opportunity and say this is great we are seeing improvements of society economies

seeing improvements of society economies

seeing improvements of society economies and politics because of this

and politics because of this

and politics because of this intermingling between technology and

intermingling between technology and

intermingling between technology and humanity if I guess is probably one of

humanity if I guess is probably one of

humanity if I guess is probably one of the big questions of today and there are

the big questions of today and there are

the big questions of today and there are many smart minds trying to answer that

many smart minds trying to answer that

many smart minds trying to answer that question by think for this case it’s

question by think for this case it’s

question by think for this case it’s going to take all of us in business

going to take all of us in business

going to take all of us in business government civil society people like

government civil society people like

government civil society people like yourselves to really answer this

yourselves to really answer this

yourselves to really answer this question as to whether or not we want to

question as to whether or not we want to

question as to whether or not we want to to see this kind of world and to also

to see this kind of world and to also

to see this kind of world and to also see the fact that when you augment

see the fact that when you augment

see the fact that when you augment Humanity and Technology together you

Humanity and Technology together you

Humanity and Technology together you could probably see some amazing things

could probably see some amazing things

could probably see some amazing things and so yeah I don’t know if you will

and so yeah I don’t know if you will

and so yeah I don’t know if you will ever vote for a politician AI but be

ever vote for a politician AI but be

ever vote for a politician AI but be warned

warned

warned [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

”

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