AI is a hot topic everywhere these days. When introducing myself, I often try to lighten the mood by saying, "The profession most likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) is that of a lawyer." While meant as a joke, it reflects a common anxiety shared by many. However, concerns extend beyond job security. Could AI be undermining the very foundations of democracy?
Democracy has never been maintained by mere declaration. Historically, the economic and military contributions of citizens have been crucial drivers for the expansion of rights. Ancient Athens serves as a prime example. The right to speak in the assembly originated from self-armed citizen-soldiers known as hoplites. A pivotal moment came during the Persian Wars at the Battle of Salamis, where the fleet was rowed by lower-class citizens who lacked the means to arm themselves. As the voices of those who saved the city could not be ignored, Athenian democracy expanded. The modern era is no different.
The two World Wars mobilized entire nations for total war. Returning soldiers demanded greater rights, and the long-standing suffrage movement for women, who operated munitions factories in place of men sent to the front lines, gained momentum. The expansion of women's voting rights in the UK and the US shortly after World War I was no coincidence. In post-war industrial society, most citizens became factory workers or office-based knowledge workers. Thus, the principle of 'one person, one vote' became a universally accepted value grounded in economic reality. The mass democracy we enjoy today stands on this foundation.
Generative AI threatens to shake this foundation. Large language models are beginning to replace significant portions of white-collar knowledge work, such as report writing, legal reviews, and coding. Coupled with robotics, 'physical AI' is poised to bring about changes in blue-collar labor in factories and logistics that rival the Industrial Revolution. As labor value is restructured, the economic status that many citizens have enjoyed may weaken.
The security implications are even more direct. The Russia-Ukraine war has repeatedly demonstrated how inexpensive drones can neutralize skilled soldiers and costly tanks. In a joint training exercise held in Germany in spring 2026, a U.S. armored brigade equipped with anti-drone technology reportedly suffered near-total losses against Ukrainian drone units. The significance of individual soldiers on the battlefield is rapidly diminishing.
This raises a critical question: If a majority of citizens become economically and militarily 'unnecessary,' will those in power still heed their voices? Governments of oil-exporting nations, reliant on oil imports, tend to fear their tax-paying citizens less. Similarly, powers that generate wealth and influence solely through AI and capital may find themselves needing citizen consent less and less. Such erosion of rights may not occur with the dramatic flair of a coup but could quietly and insidiously unfold.
However, we cannot accept these changes as fate and resign ourselves. Article 10 of our Constitution declares that all citizens possess dignity and value as human beings and have the right to pursue happiness. It also stipulates that the state has an obligation to recognize and guarantee the fundamental human rights that individuals possess. The principles built by modern democracy assert that human dignity is not contingent upon utility. If the expansion of rights has historically been linked to contributions, our task now is to sever that connection.
Preparation must begin now. First, the wealth generated by AI should not be concentrated in the hands of a few. We need to explore ways to ensure that innovation benefits society at large, such as through public funds or citizen equity. Second, the principles of parliamentary and citizen oversight over military and security-related AI should be codified into law. As reliance on human operators decreases in weapon systems, the powers that handle those weapons must be subject to stricter controls. Third, our education and vocational systems should be restructured to cultivate 'citizens who utilize AI.'
The state exists for its citizens. AI must also be employed for the happiness, prosperity, and safety of the populace. In an era where technology threatens to replace citizens, the path to preserving democracy is clear: we must first design systems that ensure citizens remain the masters of technology.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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