During his recent regional visit to Valmiera, President of Latvia Egils Levits took part in the third discussion in the Satversme debate series ‘#Satversme100: future values’ - ‘Who controls life? Artificial intelligence, privacy, freedom’ at the Valmiera Integrated Library. He and young people discussed opportunities presented by modern technologies and how they promote or restrict certain liberties.
Participants of the discussion engaged in exchange of views about opportunities and rights in online setting, communication and privacy on social media, internet of things and decision-making algorithms based on artificial intelligence.
Aiva Enija Erneste, pupil of the Valmiera Design and Art College, kicked off discussion by sharing personal observation and findings of scientific studies, which suggest that use of communication technologies and availability of various services online during the pandemic has actually contributed to greater prosperity for people. She also mentioned that some studies have concluded that technologies are detrimental to child psyche and access to gadgets at a young age should be limited.
‘There is real life and then there is online life. People should not forget that online life is just a fraction of real life, which should make the real life more exciting and better. People should first decide why they need to be online and what they do online. Artificial restrictions are likely to achieve nothing unless young people carefully assess what they do online. That is the right way forward,’ President of Latvia said as he commented on the time people are spending online.
Alens Loss-Freimanis from Jūrmala Majori Secondary School focused on impact of algorithms on content selection and consumption online. ‘People are fairly impressionable. Algorithms are key in the context of debate about internet freedom. Algorithms of online platforms shape people’s understanding of life and beliefs in a particular manner. They determine our political and civic stance and standards of beauty,’ President Levits said as he expressed concerns about cases when people’s choices and freedoms are manipulated in a particular way.
Discussion also focused on online data security and how youngsters could help older generations in their family avoid online fraud.
Full video of discussion available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhwI6ZNk_Yg
President of Latvia was joined by following youngsters: Dita Putniņa from Valmiera State Gymnasium (Year 11), Aiva Enija Erneste from Valmiera Design and Art College, Jānis Logins from Cēsis Bērzaine Primary School/Development Centre (Year 9), Alens Loss-Freimanis from Jūrmala Majori Secondary School, Ralfs Reinis Kvecko from Colonel Oskars Kalpaks Vocational School, Lauris Ģirts Lācis from Valmiera State Gymnasium (Year 12), Justīne Aldersone from Valmiera State Gymnasium (Year 10c) and Oskars Garselis from Valmiera State Gymnasium (Year 12a).
Background:
Debate series ‘#Satversme100: future values’ is an important step towards empowering young people to take more active stake in shaping Latvia’s future. The aim of the debate is to help young people formulate their views, engage in conversations and listen to other views about issues important for all. Series of conversations about legal dilemmas of Satversme will continue throughout the year and take place in all regions: Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme and Sēlija. The kick-off debate took place on 15 February 2022 at the Riga Castle. The closing event will take place in February of 2023, in Riga.
Debate will be recorder to create a summary of findings and outcomes that will then be integrated into all types of learning and information sources.
Series of discussions are organised by Presidential Chancery and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, NGO Quo Tu domā? and European Movement Latvia.
