A Book Born from Real-World Research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already shaping how governments communicate with citizens, how public data is collected and used, and how decisions are made. But is it doing so in a way that is fair, transparent, and truly inclusive? That is the question at the heart of a new publication: AI for Democracy: Human-Centric, Trustworthy, and Inclusive Innovations, published by Springer in 2026.

The book is an open-access volume meaning anyone can download, read, and share it for free. It was edited by Ilaria Mariani (Politecnico di Milano), Jennifer Edmond (Trinity College Dublin), George Manias (University of Piraeus), and Maria Panou (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas), with contributions from dozens of researchers across Europe.

The Risks Are Real and So Are the Solutions

AI is not neutral. When poorly designed or left ungoverned, it can exclude vulnerable groups, entrench bias, and erode public trust in institutions. When designed thoughtfully, with people at the centre, it has the potential to make democratic participation more accessible, more meaningful, and more equitable.

This book takes both sides of that equation seriously. It addresses real risks: the opacity of algorithmic systems, the dangers of unchecked data practices, and the challenge of building institutions that are ready to work with AI responsibly. But it also showcases what is possible:  practical frameworks, real pilot projects, and tested approaches for making AI a genuine asset for democracy.

Four Projects, One Shared Mission

The book is the result of a unique collaboration between four Horizon Europe research projects: ORBIS, AI4Gov, KT4Democracy, and ITHACA. All funded under the European Commission’s Democracy calls (Cluster 2, Reshaping Democracies), they formed the Task Force on AI, Big Data & Democracy.

Each project brought its own expertise and real-world experience. ITHACA “Artificial Intelligence To Enhance Civic Participation” contributed insights from its work developing a human-centric civic participation platform, piloted in two EU cities: Martin, Slovakia and Brașov, Romania. The platform was designed to support structured dialogue between citizens and public authorities, using AI tools for translation, content summarisation, and accessibility, always with a human in the loop.

PEDAL Consulting was part of the ITHACA consortium, leading communication and dissemination activities throughout the project. Seeing the project’s findings now embedded in a peer-reviewed, internationally published volume is a significant milestone. It is a sign that the work done in those pilot cities is now part of a wider, lasting conversation.

What You Will Find Inside

The book is structured around seven chapters, each tackling a different dimension of the AI-and-democracy relationship:

• WHY AI AND DEMOCRACY?
  A mapping of the current landscape, including the promises and pitfalls of digital participation tools and AI in parliamentary settings.
  
  
• ENHANCIING DATA UNDERSTANDABILITY
  How narrative design and AI-enhanced interfaces can make complex data accessible and meaningful to ordinary citizens.
  
  
• DATA MANAGEMENT IN AI-ENHANCED DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS
  Practical approaches to ethical data governance in public-sector AI contexts.
  
  
• HUMAN-CENTERED AI FOR DEMOCRACY
  How participatory design and co-creation can keep human agency at the centre of AI systems.
  
  
• INCUSIVITY IN AI-ENHANCED DEMOCRACY
  Tools and methods to reduce exclusion and promote equity, including bias mitigation frameworks.
  
  
• TOWARD A HYBRID AND HUMANE DEMOCRATIC FUTURE
  A look ahead at the policy challenges and research priorities that will define the next phase of AI governance.

Throughout, the book balances theoretical depth with practical guidance. It is written for policymakers, civic tech practitioners, designers, and researchers. But its plain-language approach means it is accessible to anyone with an interest in where AI and democracy intersect.

Free, Open, and Ready to Read

One of the most important things about this book is what it is not: it is not locked behind a paywall. Published under a Creative Commons licence, it can be freely downloaded, shared, and used for non-commercial purposes.

That openness is intentional. The challenges it addresses, how to make AI fair, transparent, and accountable, are too important to be confined to academic libraries. They belong in the hands of the people working on the front lines of democratic governance: local officials, civil society organisations, researchers, and engaged citizens.

Download the book here

ITHACA’s Contribution, in Print

For PEDAL Consulting and the wider ITHACA consortium, this publication represents more than a research output. It is evidence that the practical work carried out in small pilot cities in Central and Eastern Europe has fed into a body of knowledge that will inform how Europe thinks about responsible AI in democratic governance.

The ITHACA project has concluded, but its contribution continues. We are proud to have been part of it.