European Digital Deal

As the digital realm weaves itself into the fabric of our societies, we are compelled to reflect on what this means for our democracies.

European Digital Deal is a three-year investigation into how the accelerated, yet at times unconsidered adoption of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and algorithmic processing, can alter or undermine democratic processes.

Through a series of actions like residencies, exhibitions, hackathons and educational programs running from January 2023 to December 2025, the project aims to set up a new kind of public forum where cultural institutions, artists, researchers, and educators gather to reflect on what a deal that safeguards democratic values in the digital realm might look like, and on the role they can play in shaping it.

As new technologies become part and parcel of the ways in which we disseminate and consume information or interact with public administration, they mould our view of the world and our relationship with governments. Unpacking the entanglements of technology with the media and public administration is a first step in reaching a digital deal that is committed to democratic principles.

Beyond exposing present-day risks, the project also aims to question the current architecture of innovation processes to make a case for the long-term environmental and societal impacts to be considered in designing fair, ethical and sustainable technologies in the future.

Network

Ars Electronica Center (Austria), GLUON (Belgium), iMal (Belgium), Kapelica Gallery / Kersnikova, (Slovenia), LABoral (Spain), Onassis Stegi, Pro Progressione (Hungary), Sineglossa (Italy), Braga Media Arts (Portugal), gnration (Portugal), Center for the Promotion of Science (Serbia), The Culture Yard (Denmark), Waag Society (Netherlands), Zaragoza City of Knowledge Foundation (Spain)

The European Digital Deal is coordinated by Ars Electronica Center (Austria)

This project has been co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe program under grant agreement No 101100036.