# IGF 2026 WS #302 Democratic Resilience in the Age of AI

## Description

Generative AI is transforming how information is produced, distributed and trusted. While these technologies create new opportunities for participation and access to knowledge, they also enable disinformation, synthetic content, impersonation and increasingly personalised forms of manipulation. Democratic resilience can therefore no longer be treated only as a matter of fact-checking or individual media literacy. It is a shared governance challenge involving public institutions, technology platforms, education, research, media and civil society.

This interactive workshop will examine how societies can move from reactive responses to AI-enabled disinformation towards a broader model of “civic immunity”. Civic immunity refers to the capacity of citizens, communities and institutions to recognise manipulation, respond critically, protect democratic participation and recover from information-related disruption.

Speakers from Lithuania, Georgia and North Macedonia will bring perspectives from education, applied research, civil society and community-based democratic initiatives. Particular attention will be given to countries and communities experiencing political polarisation, foreign information manipulation, institutional distrust and unequal access to digital and AI literacy.

The session will explore where responsibility should lie, which actors are currently missing from decision-making, and how democratic resilience measures can be strengthened without restricting freedom of expression or excluding vulnerable groups. Participants onsite and online will be invited to compare national experiences, identify gaps in current responses and assess practical approaches involving AI literacy, digital citizenship, community education and cross-sector cooperation.

The workshop will conclude by jointly identifying principles and practical actions for strengthening civic immunity in AI-mediated information environments. These findings will contribute to a short post-session Civic Immunity Brief for educators, civil society organisations, researchers and policymakers.

## Policy Question(s)

1. How should responsibility for democratic resilience against AI-enabled disinformation be shared among governments, technology platforms, educators, researchers, media and civil society?

2. Which governance, education and community-based measures can strengthen civic immunity while safeguarding freedom of expression and other digital rights?

3. How can vulnerable, marginalised and underrepresented communities participate meaningfully in designing responses to AI-enabled manipulation and threats to information integrity?

## Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how AI-enabled disinformation affects democratic participation, institutional trust and different social groups across diverse European contexts. The discussion will identify where responsibility currently falls between governments, platforms, education systems, researchers, media and civil society, and where important governance gaps remain.

The session will produce:

1. A shared set of principles for strengthening civic immunity in AI-mediated information environments;
2. Practical recommendations for integrating AI literacy, digital citizenship and community resilience into policy and capacity-building initiatives;
3. Examples of transferable approaches from Lithuania, Georgia and North Macedonia;
4. A short post-session Civic Immunity Brief summarising key insights, areas of disagreement and proposed actions.

The outcomes will inform follow-up dialogue among participating organisations and support future educational, civic and policy initiatives addressing AI-enabled disinformation and democratic resilience.

## Format

Roundtable
**Duration (minutes):** 60
**Format description:** A 60-minute interactive workshop with a round-table layout will support dialogue rather than a sequence of formal presentations. The format will allow speakers to introduce contrasting experiences briefly while reserving substantial time for contributions from onsite and online participants.

The session will begin with short framing interventions from the speakers, followed by moderated discussion around the three policy questions. Participants will then work collectively to identify responsibilities, governance gaps and practical measures for strengthening civic immunity. A final prioritisation exercise will generate the key principles and recommendations included in the post-session brief.

The layout will enable participants to see and respond directly to one another, while the 60-minute duration will provide sufficient time for diverse views without requiring an excessive number of speakers. The format is designed to give equal importance to expert knowledge, community experience and participant-generated insights.

## Hybrid Format

**Hybrid Format:** The onsite and online moderators will work as a coordinated team. The onsite moderator will facilitate the room discussion, while the online moderator will welcome virtual participants, monitor the chat, collect questions and ensure that online contributions are integrated throughout the session.

Speakers will provide brief opening interventions to maximise interaction. Questions will alternate between onsite and online participants. A shared digital tool, such as Slido, Mentimeter or Padlet, will enable all participants to respond to common prompts, identify governance gaps and prioritise proposed actions.

The session will include an opening poll on responsibility for AI-enabled disinformation and a final prioritisation of civic immunity measures. Online contributions will be displayed or read aloud in the room. The rapporteur will record areas of agreement and contrasting perspectives. Session materials and the post-session brief will be shared digitally.

## Organizers

**Organizer 1:** Morten Flate  Paulsen,  Nordic open online Academy

## Speakers

**Speaker 1:** Celiesiene Egle, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
**Speaker 2:** Deralla Xhabir , Civil Society, Eastern European Group
**Speaker 3:** Casale Roger , Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
**Speaker 4:** Ressmann Wolfgang , Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
**Speaker 5:** Skučaitė Gabija , Private Sector, Eastern European Group

## Moderator

Celiesiene Egle, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

## Online Moderator

Celiesiene Egle, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

## Rapporteur

Celiesiene Egle, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

## Participant Benefits

What will participants gain from attending this session?

## SDGs

4.7
10.2
16.10
16.6
16.7
16.a
17.16
17.7