Protecting Democracy in the Digital Era through Artificial Intelligence Governance

Abstract

The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed democratic processes in the digital era through changes in public spaces, information management, and data utilization across various social activities. On the one hand, AI offers opportunities to enhance access to information and public participation, while on the other hand, it raises challenges related to human rights protection, transparency, accountability, and personal data security. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the existing regulatory framework in protecting democracy in the digital era and to examine the urgency of strengthening regulations concerning AI utilization. This research employs a normative juridical method using statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. Legal materials are derived from legislation and scholarly literature published over the last five years. The findings indicate that the existing legal framework provides fundamental protection for privacy rights, information security, and access to information as essential elements of digital democracy. Nevertheless, the increasing complexity of AI development requires a more adaptive, transparent, and accountable governance framework to maintain a balance between technological innovation, human rights protection, and the sustainability of the rule of law.