The International Forum on Digital and Democracy (IFDaD) 2025 hosted a high-level roundtable discussion at the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF), bringing together leading experts, policymakers, and academics to explore the profound ways in which artificial intelligence is reshaping democratic governance. “The Metamorphosis of Democracy – How Artificial Intelligence is Disrupting Digital Governance and Redefining Our Polity” was convened at 10 AM on February 14, 2025, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. The event was organised in collaboration with Associazione Copernicani, EuropIA, and the ORBIS Project, fostering a critical discussion on AI’s growing influence in public policy, democracy, and governance.

The session provided a closed-door, invitation-only space for an interactive debate on AI’s positive and negative implications in democratic governance. Gianluca Misuraca, Vice President of Technology Diplomacy at Inspiring Futures and Scientific Director of AI4Gov-X, served as Master of Ceremony, opening the discussion with an overview of how AI is rapidly transforming decision-making processes, political engagement, and institutional trust. Gianluca highlighted the increasing concern over the concept of “Hypnocracy”—a term that describes how AI-driven technologies manipulate public perception and redefine political discourse through algorithmic narratives. Davide Formica, Board Member of Associazione Copernicani, delivered the opening remarks. He set the stage by discussing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI-driven governance. He stressed the importance of fostering transparent, inclusive, and accountable AI governance frameworks, particularly as AI systems become integral to decision-making at both national and global levels.

The panel featured leading AI ethics, governance, and political economy experts. Francesca Rossi, IBM Fellow and AI Ethics Global Leader, provided an international perspective on how AI is altering democratic institutions. She reflected on the AI Action Summit in Paris and the growing concern about AI’s role in distorting reality, limiting human autonomy, and eroding trust in democratic institutions. Rossi warned against the risk of AI-generated alternative realities that could undermine societal consensus, emphasising the urgent need for robust ethical AI frameworks. Cecilia Danesi, a lawyer specialising in AI ethics and human rights, explored the regulatory landscape, addressing how AI governance must evolve to keep pace with rapid technological developments. She argued that while the EU’s AI Act provides a risk-based approach to regulation, emerging AI systems challenge conventional legal frameworks. She urged policymakers to develop flexible, adaptive regulations that balance innovation with accountability.

One of the most compelling discussions revolved around AI’s impact on political discourse and decision-making: Enrico Fagnoni, Co-founder of Associazione Copernicani and CEO of Linked Data Center, introduced the concept of Neuro-Symbolic AI, a hybrid model combining machine learning and symbolic AI. He demonstrated how these technologies can be leveraged to enhance deliberative democracy, amplify citizen engagement, and reduce polarisation. Fagnoni also presented findings from the ORBIS Project, which focuses on AI-powered deliberation platforms that structure and mediate political debates, helping policymakers gain deeper insights into public sentiment.

Insights from Elena Cabrio, a Full Professor at Université Côte d’Azur and AI researcher also animated the conversation. Cabrio’s work in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Argumentation Mining has been instrumental in developing debating technologies for AI-driven decision-support systems. She explained how AI can facilitate more structured, evidence-based discussions, allowing democratic institutions to process better and respond to public opinion. Europe’s role in shaping AI governance and digital democracy was also extensively discussed. While the EU has positioned itself as a leader in AI ethics and regulation, it faces significant challenges in competing with the US and China in AI innovation and investment. The panel debated the trade-offs between regulation and technological competitiveness, with some arguing that Europe’s regulatory-first approach has hindered its ability to develop globally competitive AI models. The recent emergence of DeepSeek AI from China was cited as an example of how AI development no longer requires massive financial investments, challenging the notion that only large tech giants can dominate the field. This raised questions about Europe’s strategic direction: should it continue emphasising regulation and ethical AI, or should it invest more aggressively in AI infrastructure and startups to build sovereign AI solutions?

Another central topic of the session was how to balance the benefits of AI innovation with the protection of democratic values. AI presents both a threat and an opportunity: on the one hand, it can be used for mass surveillance, misinformation campaigns, and algorithmic biases; on the other, it holds the potential to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement. Francesca Rossi and Cecilia Danesi debated whether Europe’s AI regulations are sufficient to address emerging threats such as deepfake-driven disinformation and algorithmic manipulation. Cecilia argued that current regulations, including the Digital Services Act and AI Act, provide a solid foundation but require ongoing updates to keep pace with AI advancements. At the same time, Francesca highlighted the importance of global AI governance. She called for greater international collaboration to ensure that AI development aligns with democratic principles rather than being monopolised by tech corporations.

The discussion concluded with a call to action for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to work toward a democratic AI future. The panellists stressed the need for AI education programs, citizen engagement in AI policy discussions, and cross-border cooperation to build a trustworthy AI ecosystem. The roundtable discussion at WAICF 2025 underscored one of the defining challenges of our time: ensuring that AI strengthens rather than weakens democracy. While AI has the potential to transform governance, improve public services, and enhance citizen participation, it also poses unprecedented risks that could erode democratic institutions if left unchecked. The roundtable debate highlighted three key priorities for the future: developing adaptive AI regulations that evolve with technological advancements, investing in AI-driven deliberation tools that foster inclusivity and transparency, and strengthening international cooperation to create a global framework for AI governance.

As AI continues to redefine democracy, the choices made today will shape the political landscape for generations to come. Ensuring accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in AI governance will be crucial in determining whether democracy thrives or declines in the digital age.

 

by Gianluca Misuraca, Coordinator of the Advisory Board of the ORBIS Project