Recently, Salford Business School Lecturer in Law, Dr Nicky Gillibrand, took part in the University Association of Contemporary European Studies (UACES) Graduate and Early Career Researcher Forum, hosted this year at Panteion University, Athens.
The event brought together postgraduate and early career scholars from across Europe, creating a dynamic space for interdisciplinary exchange on the most pressing challenges facing the European Union (EU) today.
About Nicky’s research
Nicky presented a paper titled, ‘Manipulation or Autonomy? The Ethical and Constitutional Stakes of AI in EU Elections.’ The paper examined the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the 2024 European Parliament elections, focusing in particular on the ethical implications of AI-driven micro-targeting, disinformation and threats to voter autonomy. It also addressed the limitations of current EU legislation, including the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, in preventing the misuse of these technologies.
The paper proposed several regulatory reforms, highlighting the need to clarify the criteria for classifying political micro-targeting as high-risk, particularly in relation to what constitutes influence on voting behaviour, and at which points in the electoral cycle such influence is considered significant.
The presentation generated constructive discussion among delegates, particularly around the feasibility of implementing stronger regulatory safeguards and the constitutional principles at stake.
On the experience, Nicky commented: “Discussions with fellow researchers working on a broad range of issues within European studies led to new ideas for collaboration and future research avenues. The interdisciplinary nature of the forum enriched the experience, enabling participants to situate their work within broader debates regarding democracy and digital transformation in Europe.”