Conference: “Democratic Resilience in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”
What challenges do democracies face in the age of AI? How is AI changing political debates? How are power dynamics shifting as a result of data-driven technologies?
Researchers and practitioners addressed these and many other questions at the conference “Democratic Resilience in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” on June 7 and 8, 2026, in Munich. The event was hosted by the Working Group on Digitalization of the German Political Science Association and the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt). Two days, three panels, and comprehensive presentations offering multiple perspectives provided the PriDI team with plenty of “food for thought.”
PriDI legal expert Charlotte Werther was part of the panel “Authoritarianism, Populism, and AI: Political Governance, Social Attitudes, and Resilience Strategies.” Her presentation, “Digital Sovereignty as a Constitutional Mandate – Who Is Responsible for Access to Information on the Internet?” highlighted the importance of access to information for freedom of expression and democracy. Charlotte demonstrated how free access to information is currently being compromised by web search engines, AI, and dependence on non-European players – and what negative consequences this dependence entails.
Prof. Dr. Inken Heldt, professor of the Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany and Political Education and director of the Laboratory for Democracy Education at the University of Passau, also offered critical remarks in this context during her keynote address. Her thesis: genuine informational self-determination is no longer possible – AI breaks people down into data points, and this process is irreversible. Inken Heldt pointed out that chatbots are increasingly becoming a source of political information and, as active participants, thus have the power to influence public discourse. She sees a problem in the fact that AI always presents “balanced results, even when I ask for ‘pros and cons’ in the prompt.” AI trivializes the search for opposing views – and that is dangerous for the formation of public opinion, Inken Heldt concludes. How do students learn to use AI competently? How can we reshape democratic processes in the digital age? How can the responsible use of AI be incorporated into the training of politicians? These are questions that need to be answered.
During the panel discussion “Institutions Under Stress: AI as a Driver of Innovation?”, Dr. Alexander Niedermeier from the Center for Political Education and Diversity in the North Rhine-Westphalia Police addressed the idea that the integrity of information could be a security asset worthy of protection. Government institutions such as the police are now facing “growing authenticity stress”– deepfakes and disinformation are gradually destabilizing reliable information. The potential “structural loss of a shared, verifiable identity” is becoming a challenge.
Another panel posed the question, “Democratic Resilience Through Education?” The presentations addressed aspects of schools and universities in the age of artificial intelligence, as well as opportunities to encourage voter participation through digital engagement formats. Janna Schuhmann’s current research on “Young People’s Discourses on Freedom of Expression Online” was also thought-provoking. According to the participants in her study, young people are much more likely to self-censor online. This, too, presents another challenge that requires the development of appropriate skills in dealing with AI and social networks.
It is hardly possible to review all the exciting presentations. We are therefore pleased that a publication in the form of conference proceedings is planned.
Between the three engaging panel discussions, there was plenty of time to exchange ideas and network. The diverse presentations broadened our horizons, and we’re taking away plenty of inspiration for our research and our work as an NGO.
