The February 2024 report from Freedom House revealed that, for the 18th consecutive year, global freedom has declined, with 52 countries losing political rights and civil liberties. This decline, driven by irregular elections and armed conflicts, has jeopardized freedom worldwide and caused significant human suffering.
AI, especially generative AI, has escalated the spread and impact of misinformation, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, while limiting our ability to exercise democratic rights. Digital technology, primarily developed in the U.S. and manufactured in East Asia, has the potential to either foster sustainable development or erode democracy, depending on how it’s used.
False narratives are proliferating online, undermining informed decision-making and deepening polarization. Social media algorithms, often opaque, contribute to the creation of “echo chambers” that reinforce existing beliefs and stifle the diversity of opinions essential to democratic discourse. Automated accounts present yet another challenge, amplifying misinformation and manipulating public trends, which undermines the authenticity of online interactions.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities pose a direct threat to the integrity of democratic infrastructures. Electoral interference through cyberattacks is now a real concern, raising serious doubts about the reliability of electoral systems. Securing these systems is crucial to safeguarding the legitimacy of democratic outcomes.
Roy Amara once observed that we tend to overestimate the impact of technology in the short term and underestimate its long-term effects. As such, it’s vital not to take everything at face value, to diversify information sources, and to cultivate critical thinking. Recognizing these challenges, the European Union introduced the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, a comprehensive regulation that sets clear transparency and compliance standards for all AI systems in the European market. This framework categorizes AI by risk level, with corresponding requirements, protecting citizens while promoting trustworthy AI.
This regulation represents another step by the EU in asserting its digital sovereignty, ensuring that AI is used for the common good and promotes sustainable development. Collaboration between humans and AI, as highlighted by studies from BCG and MIT Sloan, is crucial for achieving greater efficiency, underscoring that AI must be deployed with curiosity, experimentation, and responsibility.
I’ll conclude with the words of Sir Jeremy Fleming: “Technology has become not just an area of competition and collaboration, but a battleground for control, values, and influence.” It’s up to all of us—public sector, private sector, and academia—to work together in building a digital future founded on democratic values, driven by proactive collaboration.
By António Gameiro Marques, Co-Director of the Executive Program Cybersecurity for Executives at Porto Business School
