Technology for the common good: the innovation we need in a democratic, inclusive and competitive Europe!

Atrium 6

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Draft agenda

Facilitator Elisa Lironi – European Citizen Action Service (ECAS)

9.30 - Opening by ECAS – Welcome & Introduction to the workshop

9.35 - Sandra Parthie (President of INT section)

9.45 - Franca Salis-Madinier (Vice President EESC Workers Group)

9.55 - Brief explanation of the concepts discussed at the tables

  • Social economy principles as drivers of a democratic digital space (Sarah De Heusch, Social Economy Europe and Vera Vidal, La Coop des Communs)
  • Digital Skills and Education (Petra Kogelnig and Arja Krauchenberg, Europarents)
  • AI Empowering Citizens (Sotiria Tsalamani, European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training, and Vesna Bajšanski-Agić TechSoup/Philea)
  • Digital Participation (Elisa Lironi and Nicolò Triacca, ECAS)
  • Digital Market, Workers and Economy (Sandra Parthie and Franca Salis-Madinier)

10.00 - Roundtables start

10.20 - Participants rotate to another table of their choice

10.50 - Wrap up - ECAS asks each table to give a 30 second Elevator Pitch on the outcomes.

Concept

The world is changing due to rapid digitalisation, and so is our democracy. People are increasingly using new technologies to gather information, form opinions (especially before elections) and even have an impact on policy-making. Although these digital tools have the potential to make democracy more efficient, transparent and even widespread, the fast-paced development of these technologies, often led by big tech companies, has brought serious challenges to European society – to which the answer of EU decision-makers is often more regulation.

Therefore, the question is: how can Europe become a frontrunner in innovation whilst preserving its values, rules and moral standards? In this workshop, we will be reflecting upon the intersection between technology and democracy and exploring how digital tools can benefit and threaten European citizens. The discussions will take place in a World Café format between experts and participants with a focus on AI, data management, digital skills and accessibility and digital participation. Each table will discuss either the potential or the challenges of one of these technologies for European democracy and the objective will be to come up with recommendations on how we can mitigate the risks these technologies (may) bring to the EU.

Work organisation