Theodore Lechterman
Also known as Ted Lechterman, Theodore M. Lechterman
Theodore Lechterman is a philosopher at IE University whose research focuses on the relationship between artificial intelligence and democratic ideals. He studied government at Harvard and politics at Princeton, then held ethics fellowships at Stanford, Goethe University, the Hertie School, and Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI. Oxford University Press published The Tyranny of Generosity in 2021, and the ECPR Political Theory Prize jury gave the book an honourable mention in 2023. In March 2024, IE University and UNESCO named him to direct a Chair in AI Ethics and Governance. He is associate professor of philosophy there, and Recoding Democracy comes out with Polity Press in November 2026.
- Now at
- IE University
- Works
- 42
- Citations
- 130
- h-index
- 7
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 17 October 2026.
Timeline
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2008–2016
Degrees from Harvard and Princeton
He earns an A.B. in government from Harvard University in 2008. Princeton University awards him an M.A. in politics in 2013 and a Ph.D. in politics in 2016.
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2016–2020
Postdoctoral fellowships in ethics
He is an Interdisciplinary Ethics Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University from 2016 to 2018. Goethe University hosts him as a Justitia Amplificata Postdoctoral Fellow from 2018 to 2019, and the Hertie School hosts him as a Thyssen Postdoctoral Fellow from 2019 to 2020.
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2020–2022
Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI
In September 2020, the University of Oxford announces that he will join its new Institute for Ethics in AI as a postdoctoral research fellow, coming from the Hertie School. He serves as a research fellow in ethics in AI at Oxford from 2020 to 2022.
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2021–2023
The Tyranny of Generosity
Oxford University Press publishes The Tyranny of Generosity: Why Philanthropy Corrupts Our Politics and How We Can Fix It in 2021. In 2023 the ECPR Political Theory Prize jury awards the book an honourable mention.
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September 2022–2026
Assistant professor at IE
He joins IE University from the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford and is appointed assistant professor of philosophy in September 2022. The assistant professorship runs from 2022 to 2026.
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March 2024
Directing a UNESCO chair
In March 2024, IE University and UNESCO announce a Chair on Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Governance directed by him. His research addresses the responsibilities of technology companies and the implications of AI for democracy.
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January 2025
Three pathways for AI in politics
In January 2025, he publishes “Could AI replace politicians? A philosopher maps out three possible futures” in The Conversation. The essay sets out three pathways for integrating AI into politics: chatbots running for office, AI-powered direct democracy, and algocracy.
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Since 2026
Associate professor at IE
He becomes associate professor of philosophy at IE University in 2026 and holds the UNESCO Chair in AI Ethics and Governance. His research bridges political philosophy and applied ethics, focusing on the relationship between artificial intelligence and democratic ideals. Recoding Democracy: AI and the Fight for Our Democratic Future comes out with Polity Press in November 2026.
Sources and credits
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- Theodore Lechterman - Faculty | IE
- Inaugural director and academic team appointed to the new Institute for Ethics in AI | Ethics in AI
- IE Arts & Humanities Division appoints Assistant Professor Theodore Lechterman
- Maxime Lepoutre's fascinating book awarded our 2023 Political Theory Prize
- IE University launches a UNESCO Chair on AI Ethics and Governance
- Could AI replace politicians? A philosopher maps out three possible futures
- Theodore Lechterman