About the event

Artificial intelligence reshapes the democratic landscape worldwide. It introduces both risks and opportunities to our society. On one hand, we notice accelerated proliferation of information manipulation or deep fakes but, on the other hand, AI also brings tools and means to detect and combat these hybrid threats. 

One of the key focuses of the ongoing Polish presidency of the Council of the EU is information security. An important emphasis is placed on enhancing cybersecurity, the fight against information manipulation or the containment of fake news. These priorities align closely with the European Democracy Shield initiative, a flagship policy set forth by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which also includes the reinforcement of citizen participation in Europe. 

This event will bring together a distinguished panel of institutional leaders and civic tech experts. The discussion will delve into the intersection of AI, citizen participation and the European Democracy Shield in the context of the Polish Presidency’s priorities and recurrent challenges that the European Union faces nowadays. 

This gathering will not only highlight the pressing challenges but also present actionable solutions driven by civic tech innovators and civil society, showcasing their role in safeguarding European democracy in the digital age. 

We are delighted to have the event hosted by the Committee of the Regions (CoR), whose major political priority is to secure Democracy and the future of the EU by bringing Europe closer to people.

Organisers

Association Civic Tech Europe (ACTE), in partnership with CEE Digital Democracy Watch and Make.org, will ensure the organisation and moderation of the event, under the official patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and with the support of our host, the Committee of the Regions (CoR).  

All three organisations are drivers of the debate on AI and Democracy in the EU and work together with institutional actors such as the European Commission or Committee of the Regions, as well as with Polish national actors.  

Program

14:00 - Registration

14:30 - Beginning of the event with:
-Katarzyna Prusak-Górniak, Head of the Digital Affairs Unit, cyberattaché at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU
-Adrien Duguet, President of ACTE
-Jakub Szymik, Founder, CEE Digital Democracy Watch

14:55 - Keynote speech with:
-Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

15:05 - Institutional Panel discussion, moderated by Make.org:
-Nathalie Loiseau, Member of the European Parliament, Renew, France, Chair of the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield
-Mika Aaltola, Member of the European Parliament, EPP, Finland, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield
-Iverna McGowan, Tech & Human Rights Advisor, United Nations Human Rights
-Martyna Bildziukiewicz, Deputy Head of Division, EEAS, Strategic Communication

16:05 - Q&A Session and Showcase of solutions driven by civic tech innovators and CSO with:
-ACTE Members
-Members of the Democratic Shield Task Force
-Dembrane
-GoVocal

16:25 - Conclusion
-Silke Toenshoff, Head of Unit, Directorate for Communication, SG of the Committee of the Regions
-Axel Dauchez, President, Make.org, Co-founder of the The Worldwide Alliance for AI & Democracy

16:30- Networking drinks  

17:30 - End of the event