Addressing the impact of artificial intelligence, cyberviolence, and deepfakes on equality, democracy, and inclusive societies

Program Code: HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-04

Program Type: Research and Innovation Action

Proposals should explore:

• How AI-driven technologies may affect inequalities and discriminations based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic background, religion, age, and disability, particularly in access to information, decision-making, and representation.
• The risks AI technologies pose to democratic integrity, particularly through the manipulation of public opinion, electoral processes, and governance systems. A comprehensive understanding is required of how AI may be (mis)used to shape political campaigns, media narratives, public engagement, and the spread and dissemination of (gendered) disinformation. Examine how AI-generated content across media influence public opinion, social narratives, gender stereotypes and norms, and civic engagement.
• How cyberviolence is exacerbated by sharing manipulated content like deepfakes, deep nudes and AI-driven sextortion on online platforms. Identify which groups are disproportionately affected by it and explore interventions to prevent and mitigate these risks. 

Proposals should research policy and concrete practices that can effectively address the challenges posed by AI technologies. Proposals should identify best practices and regulatory measures to ensure the ethical deployment of AI and AI literacy while safeguarding equality and democratic integrity. A key aspect of this research is recognizing AI’s growing role in shaping policy and judicial decisions. 

A key focus should be interdisciplinary research on AI’s role in societal resilience, countering misinformation and disinformation, enhancing civic engagement, and supporting marginalized communities. Proposals should explore inclusive and innovative tools and methodologies for detecting and mitigating deepfakes, disinformation, and cyberviolence facilitated through AI, designed for broad adoption by policymakers, technology developers, media organizations, and the general public.

This project will require data-driven analysis, drawing on expertise from a wide range of fields, including communication and media sciences, ethics, law, political science, sociology, psychology, gender studies, and computer science.

Total funding available: €20M for 5 projects of €3.5 -4M