Context :
AI
tool helps people with opposing views find common ground ..
Nature … 17 Oct 2024
Summary by
ChatGPT :
The article highlights the development of
an AI-powered tool called the "Habermas Machine"
by Google DeepMind, aimed at helping people with opposing views find common
ground. This AI tool, based on a fine-tuned version of DeepMind’s large
language model (LLM) called Chinchilla, was designed to synthesize and
summarize diverse opinions in online discussion groups. Named after the
philosopher Jürgen Habermas, who theorized about using rational discourse to
resolve conflicts, the tool was tested in an experiment involving 439 UK
residents. These participants were divided into smaller groups and asked to
discuss three questions related to UK public policy.
The AI was tasked with generating
overarching summaries that combined the group members' diverse viewpoints into
cohesive statements. Participants were then asked to critique and rank these
statements, with the AI refining the summaries based on their feedback. A human
mediator in each group also produced a summary to represent the group's views,
providing a basis for comparison. When participants rated the AI-generated
summaries against those by the human mediators, 56% preferred the AI’s work,
while 44% favored the human-written summaries. External reviewers also
evaluated the summaries, giving higher ratings to the AI-generated ones for
fairness, clarity, and quality.
Additionally, the researchers conducted a
virtual citizens' assembly using the AI tool, involving a demographically
representative group from the UK population. In this setting, the tool helped
increase group agreement on several contentious issues, indicating its
potential to enhance real-world deliberative processes and support the creation
of inclusive policy proposals.
Experts see the Habermas Machine as a
promising development, with potential applications in democratic processes,
such as citizens' assemblies, to scale up and streamline group discussions.
However, they caution that removing human moderators could diminish the value
of face-to-face interaction and the relational aspects of debate. Concerns were
also raised about the AI’s potential to unintentionally amplify extremist views
if not properly managed. The study’s authors emphasize the importance of
conducting further research to understand AI’s societal impact fully and
recommend proceeding with caution to mitigate any negative consequences.
This research, published
in Science on
17 October 2024, demonstrates the potential of AI tools like the Habermas
Machine to assist in complex deliberations, suggesting they could be used to
address pressing social and political issues efficiently.
My Questions :
This made me wonder :
Can such an AI tool ( after some context-specific improvements ) become
capable to bring about a CONSENSUS of view-points on Policy Matters, among
political parties , each having different approaches to solution of problems ?
For example , what would ChatGPT come up with if it were to compare the
above mentioned article about “ Habermas Machine “ , with the summary of my
following blogs ( sent to India’s Cabinet Ministers as emails ) ?
Would ChatGPT see a possibility of using a vastly improved Habermas Machine to resolve
the differences between different political parties , to bring about a
CONSENSUS , leading to institutionalization of coalition government ?
Blogs on Coalition Government :
Ø A
Constitutional Coalition Government ? .. …………………….02 Oct 2016
Ø NEEDED
: URGENT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT …….
03 Oct 2016
Ø Constitutional
Coalition Aftershocks ! …………………………….. 03 Oct 2016
Ø Presidential
or Coalition Government ? .. ……………………….25
Mar 2017
Ø Revolution
Through Coalition Government ? ………………..
27 Sept 2017
Ø Why
can’t we institutionalize Coalition ?
………………………..29 Sept 2017
Following is the summary
of these blogs, prepared by ChatGPT :
Here’s a summary of the suggestions made
across the blogs regarding the idea of a Constitutional Coalition Government:
1. Redefining
Opposition:
- Rename
the opposition as "Facilitating Parties" to promote a mindset
shift from opposing the government to finding common ground.
- Focus
on areas of agreement instead of disagreements to facilitate constructive
collaboration.
2. Proportional
Representation in the Cabinet:
- Implement
a Constitutional Amendment to allocate ministerial positions to political
parties based on their proportion of seats in the Lok Sabha.
- Increase
the cabinet size to 20% of the Lok Sabha strength, resulting in around 100
ministers.
- Distribute
these positions proportionally (e.g., BJP: 52 ministers, INC: 9, etc.),
giving each party a sense of participation.
3. Benefits of a
Constitutional Coalition:
- Ensures
all parties have a stake in governance, leading to increased
responsibility and constructive behavior.
- Eliminates
the concept of opposition and prevents "Vote of No Confidence"
scenarios, allowing governments to complete their full term.
- Facilitates
quicker passage of budgets and bills due to unified support within the
coalition.
- Improves
Lok Sabha attendance and productivity, with shorter, more polite debates.
4. Introducing
Accountability Mechanisms:
- Propose
a mobile app, "ROMP" (Recall Our Member of Parliament), allowing
voters to recall underperforming MPs, reducing party strength and
ministerial positions if they fail to perform.
- Suggest
candidates sign a "Charter of Demand" during elections, uploaded
to the Election Commission website, to ensure transparency and
accountability.
5. Drawing Inspiration
from Other Systems:
- Cite
the German coalition system, suggesting that India institutionalizes a
similar method where all parties receive ministerial positions
automatically.
- Highlight
how this approach can eliminate the need for constant negotiations and
political maneuvering seen in traditional coalition governments.
6. Opportunity for
Major Reform:
- In
the event of an overwhelming BJP majority (e.g., 67% seats), propose that
the BJP initiates this Constitutional Coalition as a
"revolutionary" gesture of inclusivity, demonstrating the
party’s commitment to "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas."
7. Promoting Economic
Growth:
- Reference
former RBI Governor YV Reddy’s statement on how coalition governments,
which build consensus on policies, can be more beneficial for economic
growth than majority governments.
- Use
historical data from India’s economic growth under coalition governments
as evidence of the potential benefits of such a system.
The overall theme across the blogs
advocates for a transformative approach to governance in India, suggesting a
coalition structure that ensures participation, accountability, and
collaborative decision-making.