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Protecting Democratic Values and Institutions in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. How Does the European Union Frame Digital and AI-Driven Challenges to Democracy?
Abstract
Digital and Artificial Intelligence technologies have been reshaping democratic processes and societies worldwide. To address these challenges, comprehensive policy frameworks are required. This paper examines how the European Union’s agenda on democracy, the rule of law, and European values is integrated into its digital policies, particularly those governing Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, the article compares this approach with the European Democracy Action Plan’s stand toward digital concerns. Through a qualitative analysis of the Artificial Intelligence Act, the European Democracy Action Plan, and the political discourse surrounding the European Democracy Shield, this study identifies and contrasts the core framing strategies employed by the EU. The analysis reveals that the interplay between digitalization, AI, and democracy is articulated through four complementary and overlapping themes.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/k.2026.33.1.97-110
Date of publication: 2026-10-30 10:11:29
Date of submission: 2026-05-05 15:25:44
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