AI is increasingly used in online citizen participation, from content moderation to decision-making tools. While these technologies can enhance engagement, they also introduce risks such as bias, misinformation, and a lack of transparency. Without clear safeguards, AI-powered systems could unintentionally reinforce inequalities or manipulate public discourse. The AI Act ensures that AI used in democratic processes is accountable, fair, and respects citizens’ rights, helping to maintain trust in digital democracy tools.
What is the AI Act?
The EU AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence, designed to ensure that AI systems are safe, transparent, and aligned with fundamental rights. It categorises AI applications based on risk, from minimal to high, with the strictest requirements applied to AI that could impact democracy, fairness, and human rights. AI used in public decision-making is considered high risk, meaning it must meet stringent requirements for transparency, accuracy, and accountability.
How INNOVADE Aligns with the AI Act
INNOVADE is developing a GDPR-compliant, AI-driven Digital Democracy App that prioritises secure, transparent, and inclusive civic engagement. By ensuring transparency, the app will allow users to understand how AI-driven recommendations and moderation decisions are made. The development process is designed to reduce bias, with AI models carefully trained to prevent reinforcing inequalities. Protecting citizens’ rights is at the core of the platform, ensuring strong data privacy protections, informed consent, and full legal compliance in line with the AI Act.
Key partners in INNOVADE play essential roles in ensuring compliance with the AI Act and advancing ethical AI development. DFKI (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence) brings its expertise in AI research and secure digital governance, ensuring that the technological backbone of the Digital Democracy App adheres to the highest standards of safety, transparency, and fairness. Hybrid Core is responsible for the development and technical implementation of the app, integrating cutting-edge AI solutions while maintaining compliance with GDPR and AI Act regulations. ICT Legal Consulting (ICTLC) provides critical legal oversight, ensuring that the AI systems developed under INNOVADE align with European regulatory frameworks, ethical guidelines, and emerging best practices in AI governance.
Challenges & Opportunities
As AI regulations continue to evolve, INNOVADE must remain adaptable to ensure compliance with new legal requirements. However, the AI Act also presents an opportunity to strengthen public trust in digital democracy by providing clear guidelines for responsible AI use. Another challenge is balancing innovation with legal and ethical safeguards. By following the AI Act’s principles, INNOVADE can demonstrate how AI can be harnessed responsibly to support open and fair democratic participation.
Looking Ahead
As the AI Act moves towards full implementation, INNOVADE will continue to align its digital democracy tools with best practices in responsible AI governance. By upholding ethical standards and legal compliance, the project aims to create a secure and inclusive space for citizen participation, ensuring that digital democracy remains a trustworthy and effective tool for civic engagement.
As of March 11, 2025, the first rules of the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) are now in effect, focusing on risk assessment, AI literacy, and prohibited practices. The European Commission has introduced guidelines to clarify whether a software system qualifies as AI, helping developers and policymakers navigate compliance requirements. To promote responsible AI adoption, a living repository has been launched to foster knowledge-sharing among AI providers and deployers, supporting AI literacy initiatives across Europe. Additionally, the AI Act now prohibits specific high-risk AI practices that pose unacceptable risks to citizen safety and fundamental rights, ensuring that digital democracy tools remain transparent, ethical, and aligned with European values.
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