The discussion brought together representatives from ministries of foreign affairs to reflect on how countries can advance innovation while ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) remains aligned with democratic principles.
AI and democratic governance: balancing opportunities and risks
Participants emphasized that AI is rapidly becoming a central issue for democratic governance. While new technologies offer significant opportunities, including enhancing civic engagement, improving access to information, and supporting more inclusive participation, they also introduce substantial risks. These include the spread of disinformation, increased polarization, concentration of economic and political power, and the fragmentation of information environments. Ensuring that AI systems strengthen, rather than undermine, democratic processes was identified as a core challenge.
Rethinking sovereignty: from self-sufficiency to strategic cooperation
A central theme of the discussion was how countries, particularly middle powers, can navigate questions of sovereignty in a context where AI capabilities are highly concentrated among a small number of global actors. Participants noted that developing fully sovereign AI capabilities across the entire value chain is increasingly difficult. Rather than pursuing complete self-sufficiency, there was broad recognition that collaboration offers a more viable pathway to resilience and strategic autonomy.
By working together, countries can pool leverage, secure access to critical technologies, and build coalitions around complementary strengths. In this context, sovereignty is increasingly understood not as isolation, but as the ability to make informed and independent choices within an interconnected technological landscape.
Embedding democratic values through ‘normative sovereignty’
Discussions also highlighted the importance of shaping governance frameworks that embed democratic values in AI systems. This includes strengthening regulatory approaches, developing shared standards, and advancing what participants described as ‘normative sovereignty’, the ability to ensure that emerging technologies reflect democratic principles.
Participants pointed to the role of regional and international cooperation in advancing these efforts, particularly through initiatives that aim to strengthen accountability, transparency, and democratic oversight in the development and deployment of AI.
National approaches: towards human centred and inclusive AI
Country experiences illustrated different approaches to integrating democratic values into AI strategies. Some participants outlined efforts to place democracy at the centre of national AI agendas, supported by action plans rooted in inclusivity, trust, and human-centred development.
These approaches emphasize the need to democratize the use, development, governance, and distribution of AI, ensuring that its benefits are broadly shared across society. They also reflect a growing recognition that national strategies must be linked to international efforts to shape AI governance in line with shared democratic standards.
Addressing risks and strengthening accountability
The discussion also addressed the risks associated with AI development and deployment. Participants raised concerns about the growing influence of major technology companies, the concentration of wealth and power resulting in growing inequalities, environmental implications, and potential gaps in governmental oversight.
These challenges underscore the need for more robust accountability mechanisms, clearer regulatory frameworks, and stronger coordination across public institutions, as well as with non-state actors.
Looking ahead: cooperation and inclusive dialogue
Looking ahead, participants underlined the importance of strengthening international cooperation and expanding dialogue beyond governments to include civil society, researchers, and the private sector. Greater public engagement on the societal implications of AI was also seen as essential.
The discussion highlighted that the choices made today will be decisive in determining whether AI contributes to strengthening democratic systems or exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.
Key takeaways
• AI is emerging as a central issue for our democracies, presenting both opportunities and systemic risks.
• Full technological sovereignty is increasingly unrealistic; strategic autonomy through cooperation is a more viable pathway.
• Embedding democratic values in AI requires stronger governance frameworks, shared standards, and accountability mechanisms.
• National approaches are increasingly focused on human centred, inclusive AI and the equitable distribution of benefits.
International cooperation and cross-sector engagement are essential to ensure that AI develops in ways that reinforce, rather than undermine, democracy
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