The Case of Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson and Ethical Challenges
Objective:
Students will understand a real-world example of AI use in a political context, critically analyze its implications, and discuss where AI use in public roles or politics might be acceptable or unacceptable.
The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has come under fire after admitting that he regularly consults AI tools for a second opinion in his role running the country.
Kristersson, whose Moderate party leads Sweden’s centre-right coalition government, said he used tools including ChatGPT and the French service LeChat. His colleagues also used AI in their daily work, he said.
Kristersson told the Swedish business newspaper Dagens industri: “I use it myself quite often. If for nothing else than for a second opinion. What have others done? And should we think the complete opposite? Those types of questions.”
Tech experts, however, have raised concerns about politicians using AI tools in such a way, and the Aftonbladet newspaper accused Kristersson in a editorial of having “fallen for the oligarchs’ AI psychosis”. The Guardian.
Lesson Plan Outline
1. Introduction & Context
- Present the situation where Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson is under scrutiny for using AI tools in his official role, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and ethical use of AI in public office.
- Explain AI’s growing role in political campaigns globally, including messaging and public communications. Cite examples such as AI deepfakes used in various elections worldwide to illustrate the wider context. Download pdf
2. Similar Examples & Case Studies
Present global examples relevant to the topic:
- AI Poses Risks to Both Authoritarian and Democratic Politics. Wilsoncenter
- How AI deepfakes polluted elections in 2024, NPR
Discuss how AI was used both for campaign support and for misinformation.
- Highlight differences between authoritarian and democratic contexts for AI use, e.g., use of AI to discredit opponents alongside traditional authoritarian controls.
3. Guiding Discussion Topics
Here are some carefully curated questions to spark robust conversation among educators:
Is It Acceptable for Elected Officials to Use AI Tools?
- Where is the line between “supplementary aid” and abdication of intellectual responsibility?
- Are there circumstances (e.g., analyzing statistical data, generating draft memos) where using AI could be defensible or even beneficial?
Trustworthiness and Bias in AI-Guided Decisions
- Experts warn about AI’s propensity to reinforce existing biases or provide overly agreeable responses. Virginia Dignum, a professor of responsible AI, states that “AI is incapable of giving a meaningful opinion on political ideas” and carries the risk of engendering overconfidence in flawed tools.
- Ask: How might reliance on AI distort judgment or misrepresent complex political realities?
Democratic Legitimacy and Accountability
- The popular critique—“We didn’t vote for ChatGPT”—underscores concerns about democratic responsibility. The Guardian
- Discussion: Should the public know the extent to which their representatives rely on AI? How transparent should AI usage be?
Security Concerns and Privacy Risks
- Simone Fischer‑Hübner cautions that even “non-sensitive” inputs may lead to data exposure. The Guardian
- Debate: Should there be formal regulations preventing AI from processing government or confidential information?
Slippery Slope Alert
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Educators can explore how occasional reliance might evolve into widespread dependence—and whether safeguards are needed to prevent erosion of critical thinking among leaders.
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Beyond Politics: Other Domains?
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Extend the debate: Could similar misuse occur in education, healthcare, journalism? What are the implications when authority figures lean on AI?
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4. Reflection & Ethical Framework
- Introduce ethical decision-making frameworks to assess AI use: fairness, transparency, harm/benefit analysis, respect for rights.
- Ask students to apply these frameworks to the cases discussed (e.g., the Swedish PM’s AI use and other examples).
- Encourage students to consider the implications of AI for democracy and trust in institutions.
5. Wrap-Up and Assessment
- Summarize the key ethical challenges and potential risks or benefits posed by AI in politics.
- Optional homework or writing assignment: Have students write a short essay on whether AI should be used publicly by elected officials and justify their reasoning with examples.
Essay Questions: Ethical Use of AI in Politics – The Case of Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson
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To what extent is it ethically acceptable for political leaders, such as the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, to use artificial intelligence tools in their official duties? Discuss the potential benefits and risks, providing examples to support your argument.
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How should societies regulate the use of artificial intelligence in politics and public roles to ensure transparency, accountability, and trust? Analyze the challenges and propose ethical guidelines or policies based on recent cases of AI use in political contexts.
