Quick Summary
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various aspects of democratic governance, particularly in the executive and judicial branches. For instance, in 2023, a Colombian judge used AI to assist in a court ruling, while in the U.S., AI is being utilized in Medicare Advantage plans to make coverage decisions affecting around thirty million Americans. This trend raises ethical concerns about the implications of AI in decision-making processes and the potential for centralization of power.
The Securityish Brief
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a significant factor in democratic governance, impacting how laws are administered and interpreted. In the executive branch, AI tools are used in healthcare by private insurers to review and make decisions on coverage, including for Medicare recipients. This practice affects about thirty million Americans, raising ethical questions about the appropriateness of AI in overriding medical recommendations made by physicians.
In April 2025, the Trump administration reversed regulations that previously protected against AI-enabled discrimination in Medicare Advantage plans. This included a new program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that financially incentivizes vendors to use AI to deny prior authorization for medical services deemed
Key Takeaways
- Stay informed about how AI is being used in healthcare decisions that may affect you or your loved ones.
- Advocate for transparency in AI decision-making processes, especially in critical areas like healthcare.
- Monitor any changes in regulations regarding AI use in your local government and healthcare systems.
- Engage with local representatives to discuss the implications of AI in legislative processes.
- Consider supporting organizations that promote ethical AI usage in public services.
Key Terms & Concepts
- AI: In this article, AI refers to artificial intelligence technologies that are increasingly used in government decision-making processes.
- Medicare Advantage: Medicare Advantage is a type of health insurance plan in the United States that provides coverage through private insurers.
- prior authorization: Prior authorization is a requirement that a healthcare provider obtains approval from a health insurance company before a specific service is provided.
- executive branch: The executive branch is the part of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
- judiciary: The judiciary is the judicial branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice.
Read the original article here: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/12/are-we-ready-to-be-governed-by-artificial-intelligence.html
Your 5-Minute Securityish Brief
A weekly digest of cybersecurity news, phishing alerts, privacy tips, and emerging threats, simplified so anyone can understand what matters and why.
Securityish
Securityish explains cybersecurity, scams, data breaches, and privacy risks in simple language so you know what’s happening and how to protect yourself.
© 2026 Securityish
