Modern technologies shape social and political interactions through their life cycle process: from design to deployment. Given their critical role, technologies significantly impact all aspects of the democracy including the rule of law, promotion and respect of fundamental rights in digital contexts, quality of representation and participation. Consequently, aspects such as internet communication protocols, artificial intelligence, or digital tools for service delivery (including digital public infrastructure), should be regulated according to democratic principles and values in a global, regional and national level.

Digital technologies are deeply embedded in public and private life, making the infrastructure that supports them critical to shaping democracy. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to the systems and services that enable public, civic, and private functions, and should be universally accessible, secure, and uphold democratic principles.

Without adequate safeguards, Artificial Intelligence risks disrupting numerous facets of society across the globe, including democracy. At the same time, AI holds the potential to improve electoral processes by reinforcing the capacity of electoral authorities, expanding its oversight reach, as well as consolidating and securing their processes. Harnessing AI’s potential implies a number of challenges that ought to be addressed, including security, data protection, bias and discrimination, upskilling and digital infrastructure.

Foreign Information Manipulation & Interference (FIMI) poses significant security threats to the integrity of online political information, jeopardizing public trust in democratic institutions and electoral processes. Foreign actors menace the social cohesion and security of democracies by using harmful tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), ranging from hacking to spreading manipulative and polarizing narratives online. These tactics threaten the fabric of democracy and social community by boosting fringe, radical illiberal political forces.