Yuval Noah Harari: Panel Discussion on Technology and the Future of Democracy

Yuval Noah Harari with Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, and Kristen Davis, CEO and Founder of CinqC on a panel discussing technology and the future of democracy.
This discussion is part of the Athens Democracy Forum 2020.

[@gurudeep9236]

Yuval raised a very important concern. Why should surveillance be directed towards citizens only? It should be symmetric if at all necessary.

[@Elcherino123]

In the words of Alan Moore, who is watching the watchmen? I'm not quite sure?

[@jimilee4660]

I'm not shy. Let's just put EVERYTHING out there for universal public examination...including corporations and government and billionaires, etc.

[@AvalonDreamz]

It's all very weird and invasive. This all sounds so wrong and just awful.

[@Hazel-lb8de]

Yuval is pointing out the most important matter that we need to be aware of. People need to learn Ethics, Philosophy and also History. Though in my opinion, they're not only for Computer scientists and engineers but for everybody. We also need to educate ourselves in order to understand the world. That's how citizens will have power with their knowledge and their own insights.

[@squamish4244]

We also need emotional stability and flexibility, which we are terrible at right now. We need neuroscientists working on this problem. Some of them are, especially those in collaboration with meditation masters.

[@chrisberry9070]

Some people are born psychopaths, you cannot always teach good will, even when conditioned from childhood

[@stefanpall1635]

I see how blind are the people of 21 century.

[@nikhiljagane5713]

professor of history he says but he is noble thinker of 21st century.... we will definitely thank him in future for his thoughts and alarms he blowing right now

[@mihailhidler5400]

Oy vey

[@sungeunjin78]

Thanks for posting the entire discussion for free. I am glad that this thought provoking discussion is not limited to those in power and with money to pay for a seat in the conference room and network with one of their likes. Access to knowledge to the public for free is so important, and I hope to see more world leaders and organizations open up their digital archives like this.

[@BismillahArif]

This should be a famous quote of Mr. Harari ( Dictatorship is like a weed it grows everywhere and democracy is like a rare flower).

[@BaumannMusic]

This talk is actually not about the future of democracy (e.g. blockchain votes). This is only about protecting the current voting and political systems.

[@Ahmed4998]

I just got a notification and clicked immediately can’t miss your talks.

[@mahnazgholipor8641]

Yuval you are so wise. I moved by your deep humanity. Tank you.

[@carlscott5447]

You're cool with his "yes, there will be more surveillance of citizens" line?

[@lalitharavindran]

Very interesting conversation. “Dictators are like weeds...” really tickled me! Will remember that quote for ever! Love you very much Yuval purely for how your brain thinks and speaks! God bless.

[@user-fm1fw3lp9q]

if dictators are weeds can we smoke they?

[@hengang4571]

@@user-fm1fw3lp9q I don't smoke weed, I smoke Marijuana.

[@carolineoakshett8520]

He has said that what they are doing removes the need for God

[@ArkaGhosh024]

Please write your next book on the theme "Anti-virus for your mind."

[@squamish4244]

His next book really should be about the nature and potential of the mind, and how to develop wisdom. It's the only way to 'vaccinate' ourselves against these threats. I have written to him to suggest this.

[@manojkhatri6537]

Yuval makes sensible points. Other two, I feel, are advertising themselves.

[@D4N50M3]

Microsoft guy is full of BS.

[@dulcefmattos]

This is always the same... it’s exhausting. There’s a conversation between Yuval and Zuckerberg that’s a masterpiece of cringe. Zuckerberg knows NOTHING about history and tries to have discussions with Yuval... it’s embarrassing and a waste of time.

[@iAmMattN]

It does carry with it a different set of concerns when representing a larger organization. At least Yuval is there having conversations with these people. I wish we had more voices and minds like Yuval's in the world of civil discourse around politics, policy, and elections.

[@maheshudupa944]

@@D4N50M3 His initials are actually BS 😅

[@piotraksamit587]

@@iAmMattN We have more such a voices like Yuval. They don't have to be a famous, titeled people. Voices of common, intelligent people can have a power (potential) for change, for spreading awareness, awakeness. This 1% of mankind who is trying to create Orwell like society - they existing because 99% allowed them to do that.

[@SyrianAtheist]

Took us a while to get you here!!! what a great way to set the tone for the discussion, good job moderator!

[@radhakrishnasunkara]

Every time when I listen to him(Harari)........ I learn a new thing 😎

[@iannony4063]

Я Богочеловек, дитя Нашего Творца - Выражаю твердое намерение запрещаю и не принимаю реализацию любого негативного сценария из этого видео, запрещаю реализацию всех планов иллюминатов, тайного правительства, и их приспешников! Быть на Земле Гайи Миру, Свету, Любви, Братству, Свободе, Добру, Радости, Счастью, Изобилию для Всех - На Высшее Благо Всех ☀️

[@iononnoalberto]

Sorprende sempre la lucidità ed acutezza del pensiero di Yuval Harari. Molte cose su cui riflettere. Grazie.

[@user-ol6gj3mk4k]

Waiting for you to write a new book sir

[@stratofrank]

please add subtitles as soon as you can, love this content!

[@missymc00]

I’d never heard of Yuval until I watched this video, but I could listen to Him talk for ages. Not only is he eloquent, his insights and arguments are enlightening. Just such an interesting thinker. Thank you very much for this video!

[@quaffleavis7742]

Can I just say I love Yuval's socks? They're so colorful!

[@ITURNER777]

Yuval is as determined by his personal point of view than any other!

[@globalcitizen5310]

Yuval Harari is so much on a different level than the other two poorly outmatched panelists. They should have organized a talk only with him.

[@jayjaychadoy9226]

I disagree.

[@MounataSadia1302]

Then it will be again the bubble discussion. It's good to have three people from three different disciplinaries to see their differences, thought processes and where their concerns lie in a same topic.

[@super1673]

you are right, they are on a different level, they can be let go in peace, but Harari should be guarded and then condemned as the founder of a new version of fascism. The term "Nazism" does not apply here, but the danger of this character should not be underestimated. Fortunately, this is still Thule-Gesellschaft level, but no one will stop him from writing his "Der Kampf Harari".

[@lokovites6687]

Very interesting discussion, but as Hesiod said: "The fool knows after he's suffered." and next generations will suffer a lot.

[@aminomidi7629]

What is democracy come to Iran life’s awesome. Your books are awesome. Your perspective is very beautiful. Thank you man.

[@user-yq2mm5rf6c]

I have so much love and admiration toward Yuval. Thank you so so much for your priceless guidance.

[@solit-a]

Он сатанист....

[@efortune357]

In 2014 A Princeton study found that the United States is an Oligarchy where the politicians passed policies that rich wanted and that what the everyday people had a near zero affect on policy making. Current democracy is in shambles here in the US.

[@roodborstkalf9664]

Correct

[@ceciliam.8493]

I love Yuval ❤️

[@mahtafatemi7071]

Thank you. Rare flower ! And the truth is Ethically complicated 🌍🌷❤

[@johnanderson3700]

How do you translate the primary ethical duty of medicine “First do no harm” into technological language: for Harari: is there any primary ethics duty that is primary for techology

[@tpf4292]

Yuval's voice should be heard by the big tech companies and regulators, in digital age, right amount of regulations would guarantee rather than taking away freedom

[@masonm600]

America can no longer "cooperate flexibly in large numbers." This is much more concerning to me than a useful Covid app would be.

[@Martin-ov8xl]

Yuval‘s eyes are sharp and brisk.

[@pariganakaya]

Thanks for the grate discussion.

[@henrymachacacondori1829]

Amazing tópico. Harari is the best thinker.

[@yeahyeah410]

Incredible video, thank you

[@BobQuigley]

Mr. Smith -its fun to imagine citizens will engage. Using this wonderful video series and the hundreds of others available like it through online media you will find insignificant number of viewers. Disinterested distracted willful self ignorance rules

[@sainair]

Both the people sitting in the front where kinda pulling their own company's plug by insinuating how tech can help problems created by tech itself.

[@thisin.]

What would I do without KZbin's 3x speed.. Heard not a single new idea in this video. This level of discussion should be kept for mass-media TV, for the elderly and children.

[@manus7351]

Hi yuval, can you please do a detailed video on vipasana meditation. It wud be quite worthy for ur followers.

[@aditiroy4693]

One very important adage we learnt in school while studying history is that ...eternal vigilance is the price of democracy...in a way observed by Yuval right at the beginning.

[@luisfernandocuestasanchez4343]

Please have a conversation with 1. Alain de Botton 2. Michael Sandel It would be nice to hear the 3 of you sharing ideas and points of view

[@chris.vitae95]

Love your videos! You’re truly an inspiration in our current world. Thank you for your opinions 🙏

[@dahliathereader2872]

I wish professor Harari would come to Australia

[@gabrielehalley8533]

wonderful talk and yes monitoring of the people AT THE TOP is clearly whats needed now...if we are to protect our democracies...transparency is vital. we the people.we the people..OF ALL NATIONS.... that voted in ...our leaders..or heads of companies..must infact have capability to assess their actions AT ALL TIMES ...to ensure that all decisions are ALWAYS in the best interest of the population and to protect DEMOCRACY.. this has rarely been attempted to date but ALL leaders MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE....

[@JH-ji6cj]

Bravo👏 exactly.

[@1elt]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@collectiveinsanity9438]

So why exactly do we allow and accept people, entities, or corporations we dont know exist, know ourselves better than we do ourselves? is that really in our best interest? and what if it isnt? shouldnt we have the right to know them and know as much about them? or are they the only ones with the right and privilege to have information like artificial gods ruling over us from invisibility? is that the future we want for us?

[@wingman751]

let the AI run the world ... u guys believe in evolution ... we banned monkeys and other animals from our cities .. we put them in zoo , cause they are less intelligence than us , cause its the way how evolution works .. so why not let AI be the next product of evolution ? why we are so selfish that we want to stay alive even if we are destroying litteraly everything .. i can imagine a a future that humans destroyed milky way with their stupidity .. just let the AI run the world , we might be lucky enough to be in their zoo :)

[@Elcherino123]

It's tough we need to always push for fair and inclusive democracies. Encourage our fellow humans to vote fairness and freedom for all. There is an election already happening in the US next month, so we can help get out the vote

[@sunflower-oo1ff]

@@wingman751 Interesting point of view...at this point, I don't think we have a lot of choice anyway. How to redress a system ? When you look at how many people actually listened to this video...people are so worried and busy to make a living and surviving...they have no time to protest or put in place things that Yuval talks about. When people have a day off, they want to forget, they drink, they take drugs, or overeat...and watch stupid videos...what can I say... ;( Just look at Snowden and Assange... they tried to educate and look where it took them. I am frankly not optimist about our future. ;( still, nature is beautiful, so go there, its the only real place that we have got. :) Take care !

[@illyrian3949]

Yuval is an Algorithm 🤝

[@socialarb]

top guests, top thoughts! Thank you!

[@1elt]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Nick51C]

I liked those 50 mn discussion as it show that the world needs to work together to put a frame work around social media that assure that ethics and morality be kept as the # 1 priority.

[@solit-a]

А кто будет определять эту мораль? Станет правильным насиловать ваших детей. И вы согласитесь? Проснитесь! Искусственный интеллект не может быть человечным!

[@jamirog9562]

47:30 "Fifty people belonging to an organization can accomplish far far more than five hundred individuals working on their own."

[@maxwelldillon4805]

ORGANISMS ARE ALGORITHMS ORGANISMS ARE ALGORITHMS ORGANISMS ARE ALGORITHMS

[@veranochick]

Very complex algorithms.

[@kartikmann_]

Ew

[@christer-nylander]

There is a fundamental flaw in this discussion, even though the participants are very intelligent. They ignore the fact that a society will always be a mirror of the collective wisdom of the people, and today the collective wisdom is much too low on this planet. If you have not thought about this, please do! This means that all present suggestions how to develop democracy and avoid negative effects of technology, are almost useless. This insight is the watershed between heading for a global total collapse or embarking on a real sustainable and happy future. We need massive personal development, which can be achieved in numerous ways.

[@yusrarana9985]

Sir Harari has a beautiful smile.

[@gb4375]

This woman has some amazing insights.

[@goflangofficialvideos8311]

I have read all the work of Harari, those are truths. I simply cannot ignore the contents

[@martycrow]

*I am investigating what I think is a simple and elegant solution.* 1) Place "personal data" into common ownership of a global public data agency 2) allow individual users to opt-in to sell their data with sophisticated permission levels 3) websites and web-service providers will have to pay to access and use personal data 4) notifications can be sent to users when and where their data is being used 5) the funds gained can pay for the agency's infrastructure and for public benefit - to narrow the digital divide. There are many unplanned and unimaginable benefits in this approach. It puts the most valuable commodity in the Web 4.0 age into a 'Digital Commons' framework. *_I am getting some positive and high-level encouragement for the idea. I invite comments and if there is sufficient buy-in, this can be the start of a campaign._*

[@kasiaofthestars]

I think that's the best way forward..Jaron Lanier talks about this.

[@lukasmolcic5143]

Great points by Yuval at the end, transparency and accountability of authorities is not a though technical issue to solve, it needs a huge political will to push it through though. The mind antivirus idea is interesting, but for now, I think education and media literacy are our best hopes, also understanding of cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and different manipulation tactics used by malicious actors of any sort should become part of the general culture, something like informational herd immunity.

[@daykeviful]

Completely!! We're like unarmed sheep, constantly manipulated by very sophisticated farmers who will take all the wool we produce for them. 2nd amendment rights for the sheeple!

[@Qaemi]

What did that interrupted sound say on 49:44?

[@lilysunshine3447]

Yes. Please collaborate.

[@nura111ful]

please show me a place on this planet where are still exist democracy..thank you...

[@Qaemi]

💙🌺 Thank you..

[@Celebrity-speakersDe]

A very interesting discussion!

[@russellgillick7637]

I needed a criminal record check to clean the bathrooms and mop floors at a grocery store. When joining the army they do a psychological test. There doesn't seem to be any such check on politicians to see if they are a narcissist or a psychopath which I would argue is infinitely more important.

[@bobbycecere1037]

I would say there's not been a president who has not been a narcissist in your lifetime easily

[@sezmihusayn4426]

economic cashflow always key to understnd every conflicts emerged...politics and media just work along the money trail...and certainly those who are strong in capital and reserve will directly impact how the social model they wish to have in order for them to continue extracting and remain in power position.

[@amirammar6687]

שלום לך יובל, בקשר לשאלה שלך עבור אתיקה בנושאי למידה כמו מדעי המחשב, כרגע אני נרשמתי כסטודנט למדעי המחשב באקדמיה רמת גן, וחלק מהקורסים שאנחנו עוברים הוא הביטים משפטיים ואתיים במערכות מידע .

[@zinapalshyna8207]

Was just wandering what's Mr.Harari's opinion about the current situation in Belarus because clearly we're experiencing the lack of democracy alongside humanity on behalf of the current government?

[@alerolh_conecta9425]

I loved the insight of all the panelists, I really did! And especially Yuval’s

[@danielwissler1595]

This is awesome

[@jsimp8540]

The software development community is the most inclusive and open minded community I have ever been a part of. But people from the outside seem to vilify us from solely an outsiders perspective.

[@AlexHillsCandles4Assange]

Yeah? How's their cancel culture and censorship working out for you? Clearly you are obvious of actual world events or Yuval's ties to WEF Klaus Schwab Gates Obama. All the psychopaths. As if he is just warning us

[@StarkillerObl]

Also if a programmer is coding for a bank they most likely won't invent a new algorithm, they'll be tasked with implementing the algorithm the bank was already using and that's the end of that story. He knows very little about programming and the industry. Another thing - President of Microsoft talks about ethics? Is that a joke?!

[@43painter]

Harari asks Brad of Microsoft : " Do you have a course on ethics?" Of cóurse this Brad sais Yès. And than formulates his typical answer ( lets never forget people like this Brad person are tráined in communication tactics, just like politicians in power). Like politicians they cónstantly adjúst their story to the situation in which they are. In THIS setting our dear Brad is using triggerwords used by environment activists and thinkers like Yuval. Very very sneaky.

[@richardnunziata3221]

Teaching ethics is like the difference between knowing and believing. It will not give you the results you want.

[@chrisredfieldfromplanetrel5140]

Very nice and very good Point from the Professor at the End. Every Human needs an A.I. that works for him but not for the Big Techs. Simpel and Genius. You almost killt my Point here that is, could it be that "Democracy" reached its Peak? Because for what i see is the Western World only getting weaker and weaker by the Day! You can literaly watch it in TV and Online.

[@pariganakaya]

Of course, the scope of information technology is no longer just a matter of technology. It has gradually become a culture. That is why discipline is important.

[@lucacapezio]

Yuval, go to the Joe Rogan podcast!

[@ColliderQZ]

Joe probably never read his books. He's too busy hunting while on DMT and then eating elk meat in sauna.

[@bulistrika1233]

“ Perhaps George Orwell made only one mistake. He perhaps should have entitled his book 2024 instead of 1984!” Did Microsoft’s president miss something? 👁

[@gurudeep9236]

If we can manage to build large open source projects then what stops us from doing open source policy and law?

[@MYC_ODD_APP]

Deep question

[@u235mc2]

Amazing Yuval, thank you for take care of us....

[@crazymulgogi]

Mr Harari is a very bright thinker. Still I would like to hear what he thinks about September eleventh, 2001. Because the official US government conspiracy theory is untenable.

[@ronaldlogan3525]

Microsoft CEO doesn't seem to remember that money is speech.

[@pingnick]

I commented (similar art I’ve chosen there) on your Instagram... crazy stuff to warn anyone who reads the comments 🤯

[@anthonykruger8850]

What I take out of this discussion is the recognition/admission by microsoft of the dangers of not reigning in technology and tech companies. This is a public platform and they can't run away from it. So, keep up the good work Prof Harari, Athens Democracy Forum and Deepfake!

[@carolineoakshett8520]

They say these things. More important to look at their actions, not their words.

[@v12v12v12v12]

"Good Will Towards Men ... Peace On Earth" To Be Put InTo Real Practice ...!

[@lancechapman3070]

This conversation has given me hope

[@chrisgadsby5700]

Was that a Freudian slip? At 42:10 Kristen says; "...engaging with what democracy threatens", surely that should be "what threatens democracy" - somebody please tell me if I misheard her?

[@sirakzeray4543]

I have a dream Yuval Harri will on Joe Rogan one day

[@ShahjahanBhatti]

excellent debate of 21st century.

[@jayjaychadoy9226]

Ethics has been offered at University for years, religions used to be the moral compass. We can’t wait 10 years (!!!) for ethics courses in Microsoft or other technological business communities.

[@user-bl4mw8ee5y]

im ur big fan of south kor. id love to get to know ur channel.

[@feldenkraisgirona]

Is possible translacions in spanish?

[@ladyrocket9724]

As a champion of better humanity on Earth by making Space an integrated and empowering economy on earth and opportunity for new Humanity 2.0 , at the same time we the people take leadership in establishing ethics and morality of Space - inviting you to the Space Forum - like Greece coming soon - @ladyrocketspace IG

[@DanFeldmanAgileProjectManager]

It is a waste of time to educate a Microsoft executive on ethics. He is far too embedded into an amoral profit driven economy that motivates him not to understand the ethical implications when the profit making business model is applied to technology. Under such a business model technology will be tuned to enhance capitalism and leveraged for manipulation and addiction.

[@naramsin1853]

He also misleads the viewers at 12:30, when he claims that "the entire (athenian) community was engaged in democratic process". Athenian-style democracy of ancient Greece was strictly limited to adult male citizens of geographically limited city-states. Probably less than 30% of the adult population was eligible to cast a vote.

[@bobbycecere1037]

Agreed...... and the extent to which ethics DOES motivate him, it'll be highly partisan. He'll justify using the tools at his disposal to fight a particular Boogeyman but only from whichever of the duopoly he doesn't belong to.... It's inevitable.

[@nicomal]

It is just as amoral as their consumers. It doesn’t depend on them, they don’t generate money by themselves, people give them money, as the saying goes you have the leaders you deserve, I would serve we have the companies we deserve because the power lays within us, we are the ones that give them the power when we buy their products, that’s the true democratic power of capitalism

[@DanFeldmanAgileProjectManager]

@@nicomal I disagree on several levels. First, if there was ever an oxymoron it would be this: "the true democratic power of capitalism". This is a blatant Orwellian statement. The functioning of capitalism concentrates power and wealth. As the late Justice Brandeis said, "You can have democracy or great concentrations of wealth. You cannot have both." Second, you cannot change the system through your wallet. This is neoliberal capitalist ideology. Through purchasing power alone (which half the country does not even have), you cannot change the system; you cannot overcome destructive myths and fairytales; you cannot rectify the abuses of power, privilege, and wealth; you cannot overcome cultures of extinction; you cannot resolve the mental health crisis (The Meaning Crisis); you cannot address accelerating disruptive technological progress; you cannot address global pandemics, nuclear proliferation, climate emergency, AI, DIY biohacking, etc.; and you cannot resolve class and intergenerational wars over resources (e.g. populism, pessimism, and polarization). Third, you can only change the system and the institutional design through policy changes which require mass mobilization and new narratives.

[@mikevarga6742]

@@naramsin1853 also the pure democracy of Athens destroyed it

[@alikaragoz8295]

thanks from turkey to greece :d

[@alexgoslar4057]

The truth is painful. How true. We prefer to live in illusions.

[@JeffreyWallk]

Why not have a hackathon to bring solutions to the congress to deal with the systemic issues tearing apart the US instead of embracing the special interests?

[@43painter]

At 6:00 min when the corporate person ( of Microsoft ?) speaks his choise of wórds is SO typical (again ) because he KNOWS how Harari thinks ! 'So we just (!) do what the people ( customers !) want!' > which is one of THE strongest caracteristics of Neoliberalism.

[@Alwaysbaggyjeans]

@10:00 - The comfort ignorance of our times perfectly explained!

[@barbarajohnson1442]

Elitist Fragilty..... Harrari is wonderful, yes, but so sensitive a human he trusts billionaires ethics too much

[@bicameralmind32]

CAN ANYONE LINK ME THE BOOKS PLEASE 20:30

[@bethlanoue589]

Why do we need to know what everyone thinks? This is e v i l!

[@gb4375]

Can groups of middle aged and older governments act effectively to regulate technology?

[@dennisgoris7260]

Yes monitor the elite well spoken mr Harari

[@johnanderson3700]

Do political parties need to require candidates to take ethics in politics courses prior to the party accepting them as candidates?

[@stephenbrown8018]

You can hear Kristens heart rate on her mic.. Good debate

[@pauljayashree63]

Yuval precisely concerns about the ethics for future applications of AI. His thoughts need to be spreaded, realised and learnt to know the present conditions throughout the people of whole world, for forthcoming threat against liberty of citizenship.