Who benefits in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has changed how we work, communicate, create, access information and make decisions. But the consequences of this transformation are not evenly distributed. The research project Digital Societies, Technology and Artificial Intelligence (DIG-ICE), funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (Rannís), examines whether and how AI reduces, increases or even creates inequality between groups and regions. We will explore these questions at a symposium held in Edda, room 218, on Tuesday, 29 September, from 15:00 to 17:00. Two international experts will give talks. The symposium will be held in English. All are welcome. Programme: The Rise of the AI Elite Matti Nelimarkka, University of Helsinki Amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, a crucial question is: who gets to create AI? Drawing on a survey of more than 16,000 engineering and technology professionals, this study identifies a small "AI elite" involved in developing, designing, and deploying AI. The findings show that access to this elite is strongly shaped by existing organisational power, gender, and education, suggesting that the development of AI may reproduce, and potentially reinforce, existing structural inequalities. Bridging Divides with Generative AI Chris Bail, Duke University Conflict is commonplace on social media and other online spaces, yet interventions that help bridge divides offline can be difficult to scale digitally. Drawing on preregistered field experiments, this research examines whether large language models can provide real-time, evidence-based support for difficult conversations. The findings suggest that LLM-based interventions can improve conversation quality, perspective-taking, civility, and willingness to engage across divides, highlighting their potential to strengthen social cohesion in online and offline settings. Panel Discussion: Who Benefits and Who Loses in the Digital Transformation to AI