Theory and History of State and Law; History of Political and Legal Doctrines

Purpose. This paper examines the impact of artificial intelligence on democratic values, such as freedom, justice and equality, focusing on the challenges posed by AI-driven decision-making, algorithmic inequality, and the undermining of trust. It presents a theoretical framework for assessing AI deployment from the perspective of fundamental values, while considering democracy as a value in itself. The study explores whether democratic societies can balance technological advancement with the preservation of fundamental values. Methods. The research employs a theoretical value-oriented approach, analysing foundations that constitute the essence of democratic systems. It includes analysing legal doctrines and existing recent literature to assess the implications of AI in governance, in particular in public decision-making. A number of ethical considerations are integrated to provide a comprehensive evaluation of AI’s effects on democracy. Results. Findings indicate that AI deployment in public processes often poses serious challenges, leading to undermining democratic institutions and weakening the relational trust between citizens and governments. AI-mediated governance reinforce existing social inequalities, while the concentration of AI power among a few entities and a lack of justification risks undermining democratic decision-making. Additionally, competition between democratic and authoritarian states in AI development raises concerns about ethical compromises. Conclusions. While AI offers significant opportunities, its uncontrolled growth may weaken democratic systems. To prevent this, AI governance must prioritize balanced, value-oriented approach. Combining paradigmatic interdisciplinary research and public discussions is essential to ensure that AI strengthens rather than erodes democratic values.