This comprehensive volume examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can either strengthen or undermine democratic society. It introduces groundbreaking frameworks including "AI-Enhanced Reflexive Control" (AIRC), and categorizes vulnerable democracies into three types - underdeveloped, strained, and stressed - each of which facing unique AI-related challenges.

Drawing on extensive case studies including Romania's 2024 election annulment, Bulgaria's disinformation networks, and democratic innovations in Kenya and the Philippines, contributors analyze AI's impact across electoral processes, legal systems, and public discourse. The book systematically examines five critical categories of unethical AI applications - disinformation, electoral interference, human rights manipulation, cultural exploitation, and privacy invasion - while exploring AI's potential as a democratic equalizer.

Featuring accessible introductions to AI topics, real-world case studies, and actionable policy recommendations, this volume serves as an essential guide for policymakers, technologists, and those studying AI's complex relationship with democratic governance.

Autorentext

Narasimha Rao Vajjhala is an academic and researcher currently serving as Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG). He is also the Principal Investigator for the Democracy Project (DemPro) at the Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship (CIDC) at AUBG. Dr. Vajjhala previously held leadership roles as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the University of New York Tirana (UNYT) in Albania and Chair of the Computer Science and Software Engineering programs at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). With over 23 years of experience in academia, he has taught programming, database management, and related courses across Europe and Africa at both undergraduate and graduate levels. An active contributor to the global research community, Dr. Vajjhala is a Senior Member of ACM and IEEE, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Risk and Contingency Management (IJRCM), and a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI). Beyond academia, he has worked as a technology consultant for European firms and has been actively involved in EU-funded projects. Dr. Vajjhala holds a Doctorate in Information Systems and Technology from the United States, a Master of Science in Computer Science and Applications from India, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Information Systems from Switzerland. His expertise spans computer science, project management, and information systems, making significant contributions to both research and industry.

Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob is the Panitza Memorial Endowed Executive Director of the Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship at the American University in Bulgaria. His career spans academia, policy advisory, and international development, including roles as Dean of Graduate School and Research at the American University of Nigeria and positions at New York University's Center on International Cooperation and Dickinson College, Pennsylvania. A recognized authority in strategic communication for peace operations, Dr. Jacob led the international team revising the UN's policy on strategic communications in disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. He holds a PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Leeds and an MA in Peace Studies from Lancaster University. Dr. Jacob has advised the World Bank, US Institute of Peace, and the UN's Department of Peace Operations on information's role in democratic stability and conflict transformation.

Author Bios

Amaresh Jha is a seasoned media professional and educator with a distinguished career spanning journalism, academia, and research. He currently heads the Media Cluster of the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES, Dehradun. With professional stints at leading Indian news networks like Zee News, News Express, and India TV, Dr. Jha has cultivated expertise in reporting, producing, and managing news content.

Anil Kumar Kotha is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Management at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad. He has approximately 29 years of teaching experience. He holds an M.Com from Kakatiya University, Warangal, an MBA from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, an M.Phil from Annamalai University, and a Ph.D. in Finance from Rayalaseema University, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Kotha has an extensive research portfolio, including 12 publications in national and international journals and over 10 presentations at national and international conferences. He also holds patents to his credit. His primary research interest lies in the areas of Banking and Finance. He is an active member of the Indian Commerce Association (ICA) and the Commerce and Management Association of India (CMAI).

Antonio Garcia, CGeog, FRGS, PMP, is a historian and interdisciplinary scholar working across a wide range of research areas, including war, peace, business, international relations and strategy. He is a research fellow in the Department of Military History at Stellenbosch University, on the faculty of Business and Law at The Open University, and a visiting lecturer in international relations and peacekeeping at Durham University. He has authored, co-authored, and co-edited five books. His recent manuscript, Botha, Smuts and the First World War (with Ian van der Waag), was longlisted for the Templar Prize. His narrative non-fiction work, Number 788 (with Max Lauker), received first place in the Frontline Military Book Awards and has been translated into Swedish. His latest publication, Silencing the Guns in Africa (co-edited with Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob), has received favorable reviews. His forthcoming book, Command, is being finalized.

Assel Jumasseitova is a Professor at the Business School of Kazakh-British Technical University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. An accomplished economist, her academic work lies at the intersection of international economics, regional trade agreements, development economics, and business management. Dr. Jumasseitova's current research focuses on the application of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles within the context of Kazakhstan's evolving economic landscape and broader regional integration efforts. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical insights with practical implications for sustainable economic development in Central Asia.

Georgi A. Angelov was born in the town of Smolyan. He graduated in Russian Language and Literature and Journalism from Plovdiv University. He began his journalistic career in 2002 in the Smolyan newspaper "Otzyv" and at "Maritsa" in Plovdiv. He later worked as an editor and reporter at several national newspapers in Sofia, covering topics such as parliament, government, foreign relations, and defense. In the last ten years, his focus has shifted to hybrid warfare and disinformation. His most recent positions have been at dnevnik.bg, offnews.bg, and the Bulgarian bureaus of DW (Deutsche Welle) and RFE/RL (Svobodnaevropa.bg). His articles have been translated into dozens of languages. He has attended courses on solutions journalism, fact-checking, OSINT, data analysis, and AI organized by AEJ, AFP, Polis - the journalism think-tank at the London School of Economics, and the Knight Center at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a three-time recipient of the Bulgarian Web Report Award for Clean Journalism (2020, 2022, and 2025). Since November 2024, he has been a senior analyst in the disinformation department at Sensika Technologies

Lohith Sekhar Potluri is a full-time Data Scientist at the School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, USA. He holds a Master's degree in Data Science and is an a…