Accountability

2026-02-10 · Source: AI Now Institute · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, AI Governance & Ethics · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Nikhil Dey, a social activist and founding member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), discusses how ordinary people can demand accountability from powerful entities, particularly in the context of digital technologies. He critiques the prevalent technocratic framing of accountability, arguing that real accountability stems from respecting social relationships and empowering citizens with information. Dey highlights MKSS's successful campaigns in India, including the landmark Right to Information (RTI) Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005. He details how grassroots mobilization, public hearings ("Jan Sunvai"), and the institutionalization of laws like the RTI Act have enabled workers and peasants to expose corruption and challenge opaque state and corporate power, including securing access to black-box platform data for gig workers. Dey emphasizes that information, when demanded, publicized, and used collectively, can fundamentally alter power dynamics.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers designing systems that impact public welfare or employment, you must prioritize transparency and data access mechanisms for end-users. Your designs should incorporate features that allow individuals to audit how algorithms affect their rights and benefits, moving beyond mere compliance to genuine accountability. This approach can prevent the escalation of impunity seen with systems like Aadhaar and empower users to challenge opaque decision-making, fostering trust and equitable outcomes.

Key insights

Real accountability arises from ordinary people demanding, publicizing, and using information to challenge entrenched power structures.

Principles

• Information access disrupts power imbalances.
• Publicizing data enables social audits.
• Laws must institutionalize accountability mechanisms.

Method

MKSS's approach involves grassroots mobilization, demanding hidden records, publicizing information through "Jan Sunvai" (public hearings), and advocating for laws that institutionalize accountability and data access.

In practice

• Demand access to data that impacts your rights.
• Publicize hidden information to expose exploitation.
• Advocate for laws that mandate data transparency.

Topics

• AI Accountability
• Digital Impunity
• Right to Information Act
• Algorithmic Transparency
• Gig Worker Data Access

Best for: Executive, AI Product Manager, AI Ethicist, Policy Maker, Tech Journalist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI Now Institute.