Guardrails: Guiding human decisions in the age of AI

How should society shape individual behavior amid uncertainty? What are effective guardrails in today’s societies? How can we integrate technological tools in systems of societal governance? In their book, Prof. Urs Gasser and his co-author, Prof. Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, critically examine the complexities of decision-making in the modern age, suggesting that blindly embracing technological solutions may not always lead to desired outcomes. Instead, they advocate for a human-centered approach, proposing "guardrails" to guide human decisions, enhancing human agency and progress in the digital era.

Skillfully integrating research from public policy, law and cognitive sciences, the book lays out three concrete design rules for constructing effective guardrails. These principles not only create new space for enhanced decisions but potentially also pave the way toward a more equitable and prosperous society. Underscoring the importance of a sophisticated understanding of social dynamics, the book significantly contributes to ongoing discussions about how societies can navigate the challenges posed by AI while maximizing its benefits for society.

Urs Gasser is a Professor of Public Policy, Governance, and Innovative Technology at the Technical University of Munich. Before his appointment in Munich, Prof. Gasser was a Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School. He is also the author of “Born Digital: How Children Grow Up in a Digital Age” (with John Palfrey).