2nd Academic Debate Session (group 2)
1. The development of AI will help humanity - FOR:
1. AI in Sustainability and Development
Artificial intelligence is a transformative tool for addressing global challenges like climate
change and sustainable development.
By enhancing resource management and reducing inefficiencies, AI helps tackle critical
issues in agriculture, energy, and urban planning. For example, predictive AI models improve
crop yield forecasts, equipping farmers with better strategies to combat food shortages.
Similarly, AI optimizes renewable energy solutions, such as advanced storage and
distribution systems.
"AI is already optimizing energy use, improving medical diagnostics, monitoring
biodiversity, expanding educational opportunities – and so much more" (UN SDG 2024).
"Used well, AI could significantly accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)" (SDG Action 2024).
AI systems in disaster response analyze real-time data to mitigate the effects of natural
disasters, proving its potential to save lives and bolster global resilience.
● United Nations. "Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Sustainable Development Goals," May 8,
2024. https://unsdg.un.org/latest/announcements/harnessing-artificial-intelligence-sustainable-
development-goals-sdgs
1. AI Revolutionizing Education
AI is redefining education by offering personalized, accessible learning experiences that cater
to individual needs.
"The future of AI-enabled education is self-paced, self-directed, deeply responsive, and hyper
personal to each learner's needs" (Forbes, Schmelzer 2024). This personalized approach
ensures that struggling students receive targeted assistance while advanced learners are
challenged appropriately. Tools like Khan Academy’s Khanmigo exemplify this, acting as
AI-powered tutors that foster critical thinking and problem-solving. Additionally, AI’s
adaptability makes education more inclusive, particularly for students with disabilities or
those in underprivileged communities.
"AI presents an avenue through which students can improve digital literacy, critical thinking,
problem-solving and creativity, preparing learners for future job demands" (World
Economic Forum 2024). By closing educational gaps, AI helps democratize learning
opportunities globally.
● Schmelzer, Ron. "How AI Is Shaping the Future of Education." Forbes, May 28, 2024.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronschmelzer/2024/05/28/how-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-education/
3. AI Driving Economic Growth
With GenAI, developing and deploying new AI capabilities is no longer limited to data
scientists. Business users can write prompts to apply it to new tasks, use it for brainstorming
and many other uses. As they gain more experience in working with it and refining prompts
and approaches, the resulting speed and productivity allows them to focus on higher-value
activities.
"AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the
current output of China and India combined" (PwC 2024).
AI significantly contributes to global economic growth by enhancing productivity and
creating new opportunities. By automating routine tasks, AI allows workers to focus on
creative, high-value activities, fostering innovation across industries. For example, in
manufacturing, AI-powered systems streamline production, reducing costs while improving
quality. IDC research reinforces this impact, estimating that
"In 2030, every new dollar spent on business-related AI solutions and services will generate
$4.60 into the global economy" (IDC 2024). These statistics underscore AI’s transformative
potential to drive prosperity, create jobs, and enhance living standards worldwide.
● PwC. "AI to Drive Global Economic Growth in 2030." PwC Artificial Intelligence Research, 2024 .
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/analytics/assets/pwc-ai-analysis-sizing-the-prize-report.pdf
4. AI’s Broader Societal Impact
AI is a force for positive societal change, with applications ranging from healthcare to
governance.
"The experts predicted networked artificial intelligence will amplify human effectiveness"
(Pew Research 2018).
"AI has the potential to bring about numerous positive changes in society, including
enhanced productivity, improved healthcare, and increased access to education" (3DBear
2024).
In healthcare, AI improves diagnostic accuracy and enables personalized treatments, directly
saving lives and improving quality of care.
In logistics and urban planning, AI systems optimize infrastructure, reducing waste and
boosting efficiency.
Despite its immense potential, ethical governance remains critical to ensuring that AI serves
humanity responsibly and equitably.
● Pew Research Center. "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humans." Pew Research, December 10,
2018. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/12/10/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-
humans/
AI Enhancing Global Safety and Security
• Improving Public Safety: AI technologies are aiding governments and organizations in
enhancing public safety by detecting threats, preventing disasters, and improving emergency
responses.
Source 1: Harry Booth, “How AI Is Being Used to Respond to Natural Disasters in
Cities,” Time, November 2024. https://time.com/7171445/ai-natural-disaster-cities/
• Source 2: David Miliband, “More Humanitarian Organizations Will Harness AI’s
Potential, Wired, December 2024, https://www.wired.com/story/humanitarian-
organizations-artificial-intelligence/
Bullet Points:
• Disaster Management: AI-powered systems predict natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes,
floods) by analyzing weather patterns and seismic activity, enabling quicker evacuation and
resource allocation.
• Public Security: AI is used for facial recognition, crowd management, and crime prediction,
assisting law enforcement in maintaining public safety.
• Cybersecurity: AI detects and prevents cyber threats by identifying unusual activity
patterns, helping protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
• Emergency Response: AI-driven tools like drones and robots assist in search-and-rescue
missions, mapping disaster zones, and delivering supplies to hard-to-reach areas.
2. Homeschooling is more conducive to learning than traditional methods
- MODERATOR:
Ema: Chair
Jana: Timekeeper
Tomáš: Notetaker
3. Social media is the ultimate platform for freedom of speech -
AGAINST:
Freedom of speech on social media refers to the ability of individuals to express
their opinions, ideas, and beliefs on online platforms.
Social media platforms are often perceived as bastions of free speech; however,
several arguments challenge this notion. Below are key points against the idea
that social media is the ultimate platform for freedom of speech, each supported
by relevant sources:
1. Meta’s Threads
Meta launched Threads as a "friendly public space," but criticism emerged about the platform
enabling hate speech. This reflects broader concerns about hate speech on social media, with
governments and organizations pushing for stricter regulations globally, such as the EU's
Digital Services Act. Critics, such as Media Matters, claim that Threads has become a
platform for hate speech, with groups like Nazi supporters, white supremacists, and anti-gay
extremists allegedly flocking to the app. In summary, the core issue with Threads is its
difficulty in maintaining a balance between promoting free expression and effectively
moderating harmful content, while facing scrutiny from both users and regulatory bodies.
This challenge reflects broader tensions in social media governance.
2. Free Speech Social Media Doesn’t Exist
Expansive hate speech policies can result in unintended consequences, such as suppressing
political dissent, satire, or humor.
Example: Facebook’s algorithms mistakenly removed pro-Palestinian posts and satire like a
humorous critique by columnist David Chartrand.
Hate speech on social media exists in a complex and evolving regulatory landscape.
Platforms must navigate these challenges by adhering to international standards and
exploring innovative moderation strategies, balancing the need for harm reduction with the
protection of free expression.
● Jacob Mchangama, “Free Speech Social Media Doesn’t Exist,” Foreign Policy, July 14, 2023.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/14/twitter-threads-social-media-free-speech-hate-speech/
3. Government Surveillance and Censorship:
Different countries have varying legal standards regarding permissible speech, compelling
social media platforms to enforce restrictions that may limit freedom of expression(China -
personal versions of apps, North Korea - full censure of outside media). In some regions,
governments monitor and censor social media activity, undermining the platforms' role as
vehicles for free expression. This surveillance can lead to self-censorship among users,
stifling genuine discourse.
- Stanford Law School, Regulating Freedom of Speech on Social Media - Marie-Andrée Weiss,
https://law.stanford.edu/projects/regulating-freedom-of-speech-on-social-media-comparing-the-eu-and-
the-u-s-approach
4. Corporate Interests and Profit Motive
Social media companies prioritize profit over free expression by designing platforms
to maximize engagement, which often means promoting sensational or divisive
content. This practice undermines authentic discourse by favoring clickbait and
outrage-driven narratives.
Example: Facebook's internal documents (leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen)
revealed that the company was aware of its algorithms exacerbating harmful content
but chose to prioritize growth metrics over meaningful reform.
Source: Pelley Scott, "Whistleblower: Facebook is misleading the public on progress
against hate speech, violence, misinformation" CBS News, October 4, 2021.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-
misinformation-public-60-minutes-2021-10-03/
5. Misinformation and Disinformation
Social media platforms often serve as vehicles for spreading misinformation and
disinformation, which can undermine meaningful discourse and public trust. Efforts to
combat false information frequently lag behind its rapid proliferation, contributing to
a polluted information ecosystem.
Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms struggled to contain the spread
of conspiracy theories, despite implementing fact-checking mechanisms. The rapid
dissemination of false information about vaccines and treatments showcased the
limitations of content moderation strategies.
Source: Rothmann Caitlin, "Social Media Platforms Were Not Ready for Hamas
Misinformation." Center for Strategic and International Studies, October 12, 2023.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/social-media-platforms-were-not-ready-hamas-
misinformation
