AI and politics: ensuring or threatening democracy?

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence constitutes one of the most fundamental pillars for the implantation of the EU Digital Agenda. Its impact both in private and public life is omnipresent. AI has become an inherent part of the political life since politicians use it for several reasons, such as to promote their strategy as well as to achieve better and closer communication with people. All this is based on the existing set of legal rules. However, there are significant issues, both ethical and legal, which pose a wide range of concerns: from the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms to the safeguard of the principle of rule of law. The core question is the following: does AI strengthen democracy or lead to its deterioration? This paper aims at demonstrating the implementation of AI in politics. Firstly, there will be pursued, via a juridical methodology, a description of the regulatory framework governing AI, in connection with justice and democracy. Following a critical approach, there will be an analysis of principal ethical and legal concerns regarding the necessity and/or efficiency of use of AI in political life. Finally, the ultimate goal of the paper is to stimulate critical thinking and suggest fruitful proposals for the safeguard of the democracy and the establishment of a trustful and powerful digital environment.