Between Innovation and Disruption: Artificial Intelligence in Democratic Processes

The proliferation of interactive platforms and digital consultation mechanisms has expanded political engagement since the early 21st century. However, the rapid massification of Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a critical juncture, introducing unprecedented challenges and opportunities for democratic models and human agency. On one hand, the democratic arena faces structural threats: deepfakes, automated bots manipulating public engagement and algorithmic biases delegitimizing civic causes. Crucially, AI risks exacerbating cognitive inequality. Unequal technological capacities can leave vulnerable populations dependent on automated recommendations, eroding their capacity for autonomous judgement and the foundations of democratic institutions. On the other hand, when applied to civic infrastructure, AI can process massive volumes of public demands, facilitate complex deliberative flows and democratize access to technical information, potentially revitalizing the interface between the State and civil society. Beyond the immediate threats, AI integration into public administration raises critical questions regarding data governance and algorithmic transparency. Deploying predictive models and machine learning in public policy formulation often creates "black boxes", obscuring decision-making from citizen oversight. Democratic governance must question who defines the algorithms, which forms of knowledge are included and who retains the responsibility for final decisions. Bridging the gap between data science and political science is essential to ensure that computational tools reinforce democratic accountability, rather than replace it. This Open Panel examines the intersection between new technologies and democratic values, with an explicit focus on the Global South, where AI is deployed amidst educational asymmetries, limited state capacities and deep technological dependence. We welcome theoretical diagnoses and empirical case studies from diverse democratic contexts, including participatory processes. Some key questions guiding this panel: How can AI structurally threaten governments and participatory arenas? What are the ethical limits of employing new technologies? How can public institutions ensure algorithmic accountability? Which comparative experiences leverage AI to diffuse democratic engagement without reproducing existing asymmetries? How can citizens leverage new technologies for greater inclusion and participation in public affairs? By bringing together diverse scholars, this panel aims to map how political institutions are adapting to the algorithmic era, encouraging submissions that ground technological debates in the practical reality of political participation.