University of Twente Student Theses
Power- and Network Structures of National Elite Networks as Drivers of AI Discourses: The German Economy and Swedish Digital Nation
Widera, Sarah Maria (2021) Power- and Network Structures of National Elite Networks as Drivers of AI Discourses: The German Economy and Swedish Digital Nation.
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| Abstract: | Through elite networks, actors cooperate to facilitate a flow of resources and power amongst each other. This research analyses the influence of national elite networks on the construction of national artificial intelligence (AI) discourses in Germany and Sweden by drawing on official policy documents. Through a comparative critical discourse analysis, the theoretical key expectation that elite networks convey their worldview, aimed at accumulating hegemonic power and capital, through AI discourses is examined. Power- and network structures of national elites are unwrapped and employed to explain as well as interpret the two elitist national AI discourses. It is found that German elite networks are working towards fuelling the powerful stand of the German economy in the light of the AI transformation, while Swedish elite networks continuously portray AI initiatives within the scope of enhancing Sweden’s power in the field of digitalisation. In both cases, national elite networks are willing to cooperate with others on a transnational level, while solely focusing on benefits this will bring their national, elitist interests. This thesis argues that national differences in power- and network structures of elites account for differences in the construction of AI discourses. The findings contribute to explaining national differences in how elite networks wield power through constructing discourses. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 89 political science |
| Programme: | Management Society and Technology BSc (56654) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/87540 |
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