Artificial intelligence and the future of human decision-making

Artificial intelligence is now everywhere in public debate. It is discussed as a threat to democracy, a driver of disinformation, a tool for better healthcare, a support for education, and a force that could reshape labor markets. However, much of the discussion swings between extremes. Either AI will save us, or it will destroy us.

In reality, the picture is more complicated.

Some observers warn that AI is no longer merely a tool but increasingly something closer to an agent — a system capable of generating information, persuading people, and shaping public debate. As AI increasingly mediates the information we consume, it may amplify misinformation, weaken the shared factual baseline on which democratic societies depend, and reshape how citizens form opinions and make decisions.

But the story of artificial intelligence is not only about risks.

Across the world, AI is already being used in practical ways, such as helping doctors detect diseases earlier, assisting students with learning, and enabling governments to analyze vast quantities of information.

Listen to the conversation between Dan Banik and Francesco Marcelloni on AI, democracy, and why the biggest risks of artificial intelligence may not be the ones we talk about most.