Mediated Trust and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

It has been widely observed in recent years that there has been a global crisis of institutional trust. This article explores the concept of mediated trust, using the “Three I's” framework of ideas, interests, and institutions, in order to understand how the interaction between these three elements provides insights into the evolution of mediated trust. It is argued that, in the case of the early Internet, ideas were a key driver of institutional formations. By contrast, with artificial intelligence, there are already an array of powerful corporate interests seeking to drive policy agendas.