爬梳剔抉與引領未來：傳播、科技與民主的十字路口

Charting the Intricate Landscape and Navigating the Future: The Intersection of Communication, Technology, and Democracy

當前傳播與新科技對所處世界未來走向之深遠影響，可謂史無前例。網路和社群媒體前所未有之影響力，大大地塑造著扮演關鍵角色的民主行動者，創造出對立影響彼此共存之局面。傳播、社群媒體和人工智慧如何扮演維繫健全民主體制之角色，顯得更為重要。在本期對話中，Gil de Zuñiga博士分享他對於新科技及政治傳播研究領域趨勢之觀察：由最初的樂觀主義派研究，描繪科技對於資訊民主化和強化政治參與之潛力，轉向於近年來關注科技帶來假訊息、民粹主義與政治極化等負面後果，這種科技效果的轉變使得局面更加錯綜複雜。資訊版圖樣貌的迅速轉變，加劇了公民在評估資訊真實性所需具備之技能上的挑戰。Gil de Zuñiga博士提到一種社會政治悖論現象，亦即參與的增加並不必然意味著資訊水準的提高。而資訊消費中的世代轉變，導致所接收資訊深度不足，使得上述挑戰變得更為複雜多變。檢視科技、社會和治理之間動態關係的研究仍至為重要，Gil de Zuñiga博士鼓勵未來的學者持續關注新科技如何重新定義民主機制，並且促進更為平等的社會。

The profound impact of communication and new technologies on our world’s future is more pertinent than ever. The unprecedented influence of the internet and social media has significantly shaped key democratic actors, creating a landscape where contrasting impacts coexist. The roles of communication, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) in sustaining healthier democracies are increasingly crucial. In this dialogue, Dr. Gil de Zuñiga shares observations on the evolving research trend in communication concerning new technology and politics. Initially marked by optimism, studies portrayed technology’s potential to democratize information and enhance political engagement. However, recent years have revealed detrimental outcomes such as misinformation, populism, and political polarization, adding complexity to the landscape. The swift transformation of the informational landscape intensifies the challenge for citizens to equip themselves with the skills needed to assess information veracity. Dr. Gil de Zuñiga notes a socio-political paradox where increased participation does not necessarily translate to heightened information levels. This challenge is further complicated by a generational shift in information consumption, contributing to an information depth deficit. Examining the dynamics among technology, society, and governance remains important, and Dr. Gil de Zuñiga encourages future scholars to investigate how new technologies redefine the mechanisms of democracy and foster a more egalitarian society.