How AI Threatens Democracy and Enlightenment Values

Why is Martha Minow concerned about the Enlightenment?

The "loss of the Enlightenment" refers to a growing societal abandonment of core values, specifically the belief in reason, the practice of testing hypotheses, the rejection of myths, and the expansion of participation and rights. Martha Minow, a legal scholar and 300th Anniversary University Professor at Harvard University, warned of this potential decline during the Karl Taylor Compton Lecture at MIT on October 22, 2026.

Minow explained that she is concerned because society appears to be moving away from the Enlightenment values of toleration and the requirement to test ideas against evidence. This shift manifests as a loss of critical thinking in schools and an increase in disinformation. Minow warned of a potential loss of the Enlightenment, which she sees as a threat to democratic foundations.

Kornbluth introduced Minow at the lecture, which was held in Huntington Hall. Kornbluth described Minow as a dedicated educator whose work shapes how society thinks about law and humanity. The lecture series has a long history at MIT, having been introduced in 1957 to honor Karl Taylor Compton, who was the university's ninth president from 1930 to 1948 and chair of the MIT Corporation from 1948 to 1954.

During a Q&A session following her formal remarks, Kornbluth asked Minow to characterize her specific concerns regarding current trends. Minow noted that while AI presents risks, it also offers ways to meet civic and cultural needs if innovations are used correctly. At the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences’ 75th Anniversary Symposium, Kornbluth stated that the university needs this type of insight and guidance.

What are the four pillars of democracy affected by AI?

Minow identified four ingredients of democracy: education, reliable and accessible information, security from violence, and fairness. AI influences these areas, and the technology could be used to reinforce governance.

Currently, the U.S. faces challenges to democracy including violations of laws and norms, the stifling of free speech, a diminution of congressional authority, disregard of legal rulings, and the common vilification of others in society. These observations are based on a preprint or press release and are not peer-reviewed.

How can AI be used to improve education?

Dominant AI platforms often induce passivity, which endangers the ability of young people to think, remember, and engage in critical thinking. This is a concern as schools have become more economically and ethnically segregated over the last three decades.

Instead of replacing student work, AI tools could be developed as tutors. These tools would offer nudges, questions, and hints to enhance deep thinking and human curiosity.

How can we fix the decline of reliable information?

Modern media technology has led to a 75 percent reduction in journalists in recent decades. This decline has resulted in an increase in corruption in areas without local media.

To help people access more reliable information, Minow proposes that civic-minded technologists work to establish an information commons. There is optimism about the opportunity to create new forms of reliable information and community relations. Minow states that we must invent the world we want to live in.

What are the current threats to democratic security?

According to Gallup polling cited by Minow, 77 percent of people believe that the U.S. founders would be disappointed in the contemporary condition of the country.

Regarding basic security, Minow warned that society is on the brink. She noted that every judge she knows faces a credible threat of violence against them in America, which she states is not acceptable.

Who is Martha Minow?

Martha Minow has been a faculty member at Harvard Law School since 1981 and served as dean from 2009 through 2017. She holds a BA in history from the University of Michigan, an MA in education from Harvard, and a JD from Yale.

Her books include "Making All the Difference" from 1990, "Partners Not Rivals" from 2002, and "When Should Law Forgive?" from 2020. These works provide insight into her approach to legal and social challenges.