AI and the Political Targets of SDG 16

Politics is essential for reaching all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and SDG 16 is directly aimed at fostering sustainable politics through peace, justice, and strong institutions. This chapter mainly focuses on the implications related to what is here categorized as the political targets of SDG 16, namely targets 16.3, 16.6, and 16.7. The first of these relate to the rule of law (target 16.3), which is one part of the ‘trinitarian formula’ of constitutionalism (with democracy and human rights being the two others). The next target (16.6) relates to the effectiveness, accountability, and the transparency of institutions. I here consider the potential for AI to promote increased effectiveness without the loss of the other two aspects. Lastly, whether AI can contribute to reaching target 16.7 is considered. This target entails considerations of how responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making is.