AI and Democracy: A European Vision for Ethical AI Governance

The AI Action Summit in Paris made one thing clear: artificial intelligence is not just a technological shift but a societal transformation that will shape democracy, work, and economic justice. The choices we make today will determine whether AI serves everyone or concentrates power in the hands of a few. As President of the EESC, I engaged with policymakers, business leaders, social partners and civil society to advocate for AI that empowers businesses and workers, upholds democracy, and follows strong ethical safeguards. Europe is setting global standards with the EU AI Act, but international cooperation remains crucial.

During the AI Summit Welcoming Event, I joined global leaders—including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Henna Virkkunen, and Audrey Tang—to stress the need for democratic oversight and citizen involvement. AI must not become a tool for surveillance or unchecked corporate control. At the High-Level Roundtable on AI in the Workplace, I warned against intransparent algorithmic management, job displacement, and AI-driven surveillance, highlighting the importance of strong legal protections, social dialogue and worker training. The policy shifts in the United States, where the new Trump administration has already dismantled AI regulations, show why a global, coordinated approach to AI governance is necessary. AI must support democracy, not undermine it. In a bilateral meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, we discussed the role of AI in safeguarding independent media and civil society in Belarus. The EESC remains committed to ensuring AI strengthens, rather than weakens, democratic resilience.

The AI Action Summit was a crucial step, but discussions alone are not enough—we must transform words into action. The EESC will continue pushing for ethical AI development and international cooperation. We must to champion “AI made in Europe” by not only providing and attracting public and private funding for scaling-up entrepreneurial efforts but also investing in critical digital infrastructure ensuring fair competition by countering market concentration. AI must serve people, rather than profits, reinforcing democratic values rather than undermining them. The time for decisive action is now.

 *Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)