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.
Why does this matter? Artificial Intelligence increasingly influences decisions that shape our everyday lives — from what content we see online, to how public services are delivered, to how communities decide which projects get funding. Without clear rules, these systems can become “black boxes,” making decisions that are difficult to understand, challenge, or trust.
The AI Act introduces three essential safeguards:
1. A ban on AI systems that violate fundamental rights.
2. Strict requirements for “high-risk” applications in sensitive fields such as elections, healthcare, and critical infrastructure.
3. Obligations for transparency and human oversight in decision-making processes.
This is precisely where the ITHACA project comes in. ITHACA is piloting a civic participation platform in Martin (Slovakia) and Brașov (Romania). The goal is to demonstrate how AI can be ethical, transparent, and trustworthy in practice.
On ITHACA’s platform, citizens will not only be able to take part in local discussions, but also understand why certain contributions are highlighted or why specific policy suggestions are recommended. This “explainability” directly reflects the AI Act’s vision of accountability and fairness.
By embedding these safeguards into real digital tools, ITHACA shows how European legislation can translate from legal text into everyday democratic life. Transparency is not just a principle — it is something citizens can experience and benefit from directly.
As Europe leads the way in regulating AI, projects like ITHACA prove that technology can strengthen democracy, amplify voices, and ensure that innovation respects fundamental rights.
Learn more: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19015/artificial-intelligence-act-meps-adopt-landmark-law
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Europe Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
