Contesting AI // Defending Democracy. Possibilities for EUropean AI Futures

  • Panel
  • Maritime
  • Wednesday 20.05 — 08:45 - 10:00

Organising Institution

Utrecht University - Data School

Netherlands

The Data School at Utrecht University is an interdisciplinary research and teaching platform focused on the societal impact of data, algorithms and artificial intelligence. It examines how big data and AI are transforming citizenship and democracy. The Data School combines academic research with practical application, training programs, and processes that support responsible data and AI use.
  • Academic 2
  • Business 1
  • Policy 3
The alliance of far-right politics and tech bro’s in the Trump administration has politicized artificial intelligence and fueled the so-called global AI race. It shaped a narrative of AI as inevitable for economic progress, and acceptance for sacrificing civil rights, social cohesion, and shared values for a vague promise of innovation. The EU Commission backpaddled on their own AI and data protection regulations. This combination of technical incompetence, political cowardness and intellectual laziness might undermine civil rights and actual opportunities for socially desirable AI futures in Europe. This panel takes measures of the damage done and proposes ways forward for contesting AI and defending democracy. Perspectives shared in this panel come from experts in advocacy, research and politics, to build capacities and practices for aligning algorithmic systems with social norms and values of our open and democratic societies in Europe.

Questions to be answered

  1. How to contest AI and its social impacts?
  2. How to develop AI literacy for political leaders and elected representatives?
  3. How to develop a European perspective on AI and defend its regulation?
  4. How to build effective checks & balances for algorithmic systems beyond symbolic regulation and lip-service ethics?

Moderator

Sanne Janssen

Utrecht University - Data School - Netherlands

 Sanne Janssen is a researcher at Data School, Utrecht University (UU). She focuses on research and education for professionals in the field of digital ethics, mostly within governmental organizations. She has a background in artificial intelligence and specializes in its societal impact.

Speaker

Katalin Feher

KU Leuven, EU/UN Expert - Hungary

Working at the crossroads of academia, policy, and innovation, I study how AI reshapes power, legitimacy, and trust under deep uncertainty — translating complex technological change into frameworks and connecting strategic foresight with human-centered governance for long-term decision-making.

Speaker

Nadia Benaissa

Bits of Freedom - Netherlands

Nadia is a policy advisor at Bits of Freedom.

Speaker

Oliver Marsh

AlgorithmWatch - Germany

As Head of Tech Research, Oliver leads AlgorithmWatch's research work and partnerships on policy areas including the Digital Services Act and the AI Act. Oliver previously worked on platform and data governance as an official in Downing Street in the UK, and as an analyst of online harms for CASM Technology, The Institute for Strategic Dialogue and Demos. He holds a PhD in sociology of social media from University College London and a degree in Natural Sciences & History and Philosophy of Science from Cambridge University.

Speaker

Mirko Tobias Schäfer

Utrecht University - Data School - Netherlands

Mirko Tobias Schäfer is Associate Professor of AI, Data & Society at Utrecht University. Together with the Data School, Mirko investigates the social impact of data practices and AI on citizenship and democracy, developing applied methodologies and interventions that bridge research and practice. Mirko also serves on the Advisory Committee Analytics of the Netherlands Ministry of Finance.