On 4 December 2025 in Brussels, the KT4D Final Event brings together four Horizon Europe projects — AI4GOV, KT4D, ITHACA, and ORBIS — for one powerful closing act. This grand finale celebrates years of collaboration exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data can make democracy stronger, more transparent, and more inclusive. Be there with us!

As part of the ITHACA project, we are excited to announce the start of Phase-2 testing, which takes place between 20th October and 5th November 2025 in two pilot cities: Brașov (Romania) and Martin (Slovakia). This phase is crucial for the ongoing development and refinement of our online public participation platform, which aims to empower citizens to engage more effectively in local governance.

ITHACA Project Presentation at the 20th Conference on Quality and Social Responsibility On September 25, 2025, at the 20th Conference on Quality and Social Responsibility, held by Úrad pre normalizáciu, metrológiu a skúšobníctvo SR (ÚNMS SR) in Bratislava, Ing. Stanislav Thomka, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Martin, presented the ITHACA project as part […]

The digital sphere has become the new town square of democracy. But while online platforms enable millions of people to connect and debate, they also carry risks: disinformation, hate speech, and manipulative algorithms that can distort public opinion.

Artificial Intelligence promises to improve many areas of society, but trust remains a challenge. According to a recent EU survey, 84% of Europeans believe that AI must be carefully managed to protect privacy and ensure transparency.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping decisions that affect our daily lives – from the services we use online to the way public institutions operate. To ensure that this technology remains safe, transparent, and accountable, the European Union has introduced the world’s first comprehensive law on AI: the AI Act, adopted in 2024.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept. I – it increasingly shapes how we live, work, and participate in society. Recognising both the opportunities and the risks, the European Union has taken bold steps to set clear rules and principles for AI development and use. From the AI Act to the Digital Services Act and the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, the EU is establishing a global benchmark for trustworthy, human-centric AI.

At the same time, projects like ITHACA are bringing these values to life in practice – testing how AI can strengthen democracy and civic participation at the local level.

From June 9 to 11, 2025, the City of Martin hosted the first real-user testing of the ITHACA digital platform. It has been developed to support civic participation and actively involve the public in local decision-making. This key milestone marks part of the final phase of the ITHACA project (Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Civic Participation). Moreover, it provides rich, hands-on feedback from both community members and local government experts.

How can we make democratic decision-making more inclusive, informed, and efficient in the digital age? One promising answer lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and deliberative democracy. At ITHACA, we are exploring different ways how to connect them.

Europe is going through a major digital transformation. But this change is not just about using new technologies. It’s about making sure technology works for people, supports democracy, and helps build fair and inclusive societies. At ITHACA, we support this ambition by making the use of Artificial Intelligence by citizens more open, transparent, and trustworthy.