KT4D on the European Commission President's renewed commitment to democracy protection and citizen participation

On July 18, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029) to the European Parliament. Among the key points, the President put emphasis on the need for democracy protection measures, including the introduction of a new European Democracy Shield, which aims to bolster societal resilience and preparedness through enhanced digital and media literacy. Von der Leyen also underscored the crucial role of citizens’ participation in the democratic processes, highlighting initiatives such as the Conference on the Future of Europe and the European Citizens' Panels as pivotal steps towards a more deliberative democracy.

The Knowledge Technologies for Democracy (KT4D) project finds von der Leyen’s vision particularly resonant with the consortium objectives and ongoing efforts. KT4D has been working towards harnessing AI and Big Data technologies to strengthen democratic processes and ensure citizen engagement to EU policy-making.

Enhancing digital literacy and advanced knowledge technology awareness

The KT4D project has been actively involved in improving digital literacy and technology awareness among EU citizens, aligning with President von der Leyen’s proposed European Democracy Shield. The project initiatives have been focusing on creating educational resources and interactive tools that empower individuals to manage the complexities of the digital world, build up knowledge and awareness for resisting the influence of deep fakes and disinformation.

Von der Leyen’s commitment to implementing transparency requirements in the AI Act aligns with KT4D’s mission to promote ethical AI deployment. The project research efforts towards transparency and accountability in AI systems aim to prevent misuse and protect democratic values. The KT4D policy brief and research publications advocate for clear guidelines and frameworks that ensure AI technologies are used responsibly.

Citizen participation and democratic innovation

The KT4D project has been developing and testing innovative participatory methods to involve citizens in governing the processes triggered by the widespread adoption of advanced knowledge technologies, which also bear an impact on policy-making processes. These initiatives are designed to gather diverse perspectives and ensure that EU policies reflect the needs and aspirations of its citizens. KT4D values the role of civil society organisations in upholding democratic values and actively collaborates with civil society organisations to enhance the outreach and impact. As President von der Leyen embarks on her second mandate, KT4D stands ready to support a vision for a stronger, more inclusive European democracy. The project consortium is committed to working alongside the European Commission, civil society organisations, and citizens to ensure that democratic values are upheld and that technology serves to enhance, not undermine, our democratic processes.

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