London: Can democratic values keep pace with technological power?
The Forum opened at the UK Houses of Parliament under the auspices of Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP, hosted by the Hellenic Tech Network and the Board of British Cypriots, as the first event in a global series on AI and democratic governance.
About the event
The inaugural event in a global series exploring how democratic values can shape and keep pace with rapid AI innovation. The Forum brings together policymakers, technologists, academics and civic leaders to discuss the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and democratic governance in an open, accessible dialogue. The Forum, an initiative born from the collaboration of the Hellenic Tech Network and the Board of British Cypriots, seeks to answer the question of whether democratic values can keep pace with technological power.
The forum examines, on the one hand, how democratic values can guide the development of Artificial Intelligence, and on the other, how and to what extent AI can influence democratic processes. It also explores ways to promote and deepen public understanding of AI so that it does not remain a powerful tool accessible only to the few and privileged.
This Forum was hosted under the auspices of Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP, in partnership between the Hellenic Tech Network and the Board of British Cypriots, aiming to deepen public understanding of AI’s impact on democracy and society.
Programme
Guests entered the venue via the Cromwell Green entrance, presenting photo ID with their Eventbrite registration confirmation, and received a visitor badge to wear while on the premises.
The panel discussion brought together experts from technology, policy, academia and civil society to examine the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and democracy. Panellists addressed key themes including AI governance, ethics, regulation, transparency, digital rights and the societal impact of emerging technologies, with an emphasis on democratic values in an AI-enabled society. The discussion promoted informed dialogue, diverse perspectives and practical insights into responsible AI development and use.
The event concluded with closing remarks from the Hellenic Tech Network (HTN), summarising key themes from the discussion and reinforcing the importance of thoughtful engagement at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, society and democratic values. As a gesture to encourage further reflection, speakers received a copy of The Essential Keynes, a curated collection of John Maynard Keynes’s most influential ideas on economics, governance and public policy, highlighting the enduring relevance of critical thinking in times of technological and societal change.
Speakers & moderators
