International Day of Democracy: A focus on Artificial Intelligence for good governance

Every year on September 15, the world recognises the International Day of Democracy, a day dedicated to promoting and reviewing the state of democracy across nations. Established by the United Nations in 2007, this day serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusive participation, accountability, and the rule of law in fostering stable and just societies. 

This year’s theme, ‘AI as a tool for good governance’, highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing democratic processes. Governments and organisations are increasing their use of AI to improve public services, decision-making, and increase transparency. For instance, AI-driven data analytics can help policymakers better understand citizen needs, predict societal trends, and efficiently allocate resources. However, if AI is being used irresponsibly, it could impact democracy, peace, and stability. 

Open data plays an important role in democracy by strengthening democratic institutions. Open data initiatives ensure that government actions are visible and scrutinised, resulting in reinforcing trust between the state and its citizens and promoting a more participatory democracy. Our data.europa.eu portal provides an example of how accessible and transparent data can empower citizens, researchers, and policymakers by providing free access to a high number of datasets, contributing to inclusive global access to public information. Additionally, we publish studies on AI, like our report ‘The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Processing and Generating New Data’, that provides insights on the impact of AI on business, governments, and the global economy.  

As we celebrate democracy, embracing future technology like AI can benefit digitalisation in governmental organisations but should always be approached with cause. Stay tuned for more updates on AI and open data, and let us take an extra moment today to appreciate democracy. 

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