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 of the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance civic participation through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

This annual conference brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss the intersections of quality management, risk governance, and social responsibility, particularly in the context of public administration. Participants share insights on best practices, innovative solutions, and strategies to improve transparency, accountability, and societal impact in public sector projects.

Ing. Thomka’s presentation highlighted the City of Martin’s involvement in piloting the ITHACA platform, which allows citizens to actively participate in local governance discussions. The platform is designed with transparency and fairness at its core, ensuring that AI-driven decision-making is understandable and accountable. By integrating the needs of vulnerable groups, the project aligns with broader EU efforts to ensure that technology serves the public good.

As part of the ITHACA initiative, the City of Martin is exploring the potential of AI to bridge the gap between citizens and local authorities, encouraging a more inclusive and participatory approach to democratic decision-making. The project’s focus on human-centric AI is in direct alignment with the ethical guidelines set by the European Union’s AI Act and GDPR, ensuring that citizens‘ rights to privacy and fairness are respected.

For more information about the conference, see: 20th Conference on Quality and Social Responsibility