In this talk I will raise some challenges that political theorists face when reflecting on the political import of algorithmic governance. I do not develop normative or epistemic insights into these challenges, and in fact suggest that such an approach is problematic. Rather, I proceed by articulating some aspects of the political ontology of algorithms that, I suggest, are decidedly different from our more conventional intuitions (classically derived from Aristotle) on what a medium is and how it operates. I then proceed to suggest that the biggest challenge raised to political and democratic thought by algorithmic governance regards a critical theory adequate to the claims of the medium. On this last point, I attempt to reconstruct what I believe are the basic conceptual elements that need to be considered in a political theory of algorithms.

Davide Panagia is a political theorist and Professor and Chair of Political Science at UCLA. He is a former Co-Editor of the journals Political Theory and Theory and Event. His forthcoming monograph publications include: Intermedialities: Political Theory and Cinematic Experience (Northwestern University Press, 2024) and Sentimental Empiricism: Politics, Philosophy, and Criticism in Postwar France (Fordham Un diversity Press, 2024).

Co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute Humanities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Cluster and the History of Consciousness Department. This talk is a part of the HISC Winter 2024 Speaker Series.

The event will take place in-person in Humanities 1, Room 210 at 11:30am PST. Guests are also welcome to visit the HISC website to join virtually via Zoom. We look forward to seeing you there!