Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Automation Will Crash Democracy" in NYC, May 14

Around the world, technology is disrupting the workforce. Some worry that as people lose jobs to robots, the gap between the rich and poor will widen, distrust in government and democratic institutions grow, and populist ideas become more attractive to those left behind. Others say as automation drives higher productivity growth, humans can reach their full potential, strengthening democracy on the whole. Should we be optimistic about coming technological advances or could they lead to total system failure? On Monday, May 14, the "fantastic" (New Yorker) debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. will address this question with a live debate on the motion "Automation Will Crash Democracy."

Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer, whose new book 'Us Vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism' explores the consequences of globalism and the technology that has come with it, and 'The People vs. Democracy' author Yascha Mounk, an expert on the rise of populism and the crisis of liberal democracy, will argue for the motion. Internet entrepreneur Andrew Keen, author of new book 'How To Fix The Future,' and Alina Polyakova, a Brookings Institution fellow who specializes in far-right populism and nationalism, will argue against the motion.

The debate will be held at NYC's Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College and stream live online, then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." On May 14, online viewers can tune in at IQ2US's website: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/automation-will-crash-democracy

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Automation Will Crash Democracy"

WHEN: Monday, May 14, 2018 / Reception 6:00-6:45 / Debate 7:00-8:30 PM

WHERE: Kaye Playhouse / East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues / New York, NY 10065

TICKETS: $40 ($12 for students w/ ID). To purchase, visit http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/

Debating For the Motion:

* Ian Bremmer: Founder and President, Eurasia Group 

Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, the leading global political risk research and consulting firm, and president of GZERO Media. Dubbed a "rising guru" in the field of political risk by The Economist, he is a prolific thought leader and author. His most recent book, "Us Vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism," explores the consequences of globalism, and the technology that has come with it, around the world.

* Yascha Mounk: Lecturer, Harvard University & Senior Fellow, New America

Yascha Mounk is a lecturer on political theory at Harvard University, a senior fellow at New America, and a postdoctoral fellow at the German Marshall Fund. A columnist at Slate and the host of The Good Fight podcast, he is an expert on the rise of populism and the crisis of liberal democracy. He is also the author of "The People vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom is in Danger and How to Save It."

Debating Against the Motion:

* Andrew Keen: Internet Entrepreneur & Author, How To Fix The Future

Andrew Keen is one of the world's best known and controversial commentators on the digital revolution. He is an internet entrepreneur and the author of "How To Fix The Future," which was released in February. Keen is the executive director of the Silicon Valley innovation salon FutureCast, the host of "Keen On" show, a popular TechCrunch chat show, and an acclaimed public speaker around the world. In 2015, he was named one of the "100 Most Connected Men" by GQ Magazine.

* Alina Polyakova: David M. Rubenstein Fellow, Brookings Institution 

Alina Polyakova a fellow at the Brookings Institution and an adjunct professor of European studies at Johns Hopkins University. She specializes in European politics, far-right populism and nationalism, and Russian foreign policy. Polyakova's recent book, "The Dark Side of European Integration," examines the rise of far-right political parties in Western and Eastern Europe.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)

A non-partisan, non-profit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. The award-winning debate series reaches over 30 million American households through multi-platform distribution, including radio, television, live streaming, podcasts, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps on Roku and Apple TV. With over 140 debates and counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008.