Unequal Health

Managing Its Impact on Social Interactions, the Economy, Employment, and Our Democracies There is widespread concern about how artificial intelligence might affect our lives—changing social interactions, the economy, jobs, health, information, and the functioning of our democracies. Leading scientists have called for a six-month pause on its development to better understand the path we are on. But technological progress isn’t something we should just passively witness. We have the power to shape and guide it. In this issue, we present ideas on how and where to take action to ensure artificial intelligence complements human work and improves well-being, this time without harming those with lower incomes.

Overcrowding fuels recidivism: why a purely punitive prison system makes society less safe We know far too little about what really happens inside prisons. In this issue of eco, we look beyond the walls of our penitentiary system and let the data speak. The overwhelming majority of inmates serve their sentences in severely overcrowded facilities. This is a chronic problem that calls for structural interventions, including the construction of new prisons. It is not only a matter of upholding constitutional principles in the treatment of those who have committed crimes, but also of ensuring greater safety for society as a whole. Overcrowding and recidivism are in fact two sides of the same coin: a purely punitive prison risks becoming a training ground for crime. By contrast, where detention conditions are better, inmates can take part in work and rehabilitation programs that support reintegration and significantly reduce the likelihood of reoffending.