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Navigating the digital sphere has always been a challenge for citizens and political actors in a quickly evolving digital environment demanding the necessity of digital skills or digital literacy. These skills have never been developed equally across societies forming the second level of the digital divide (DiMaggio et al 2004; van Deursen and van Dijk 2011; Lythreatis et al 2022). The rapid emergence of new technologies, including AI, alongside the expanding integration of digital tools into all areas of daily life—such as public e-services and smart city infrastructures—has intensified the demand for such skills across and beyond Europe. While these developments offer convenience and new opportunities, they also risk excluding individuals who lack adequate digital competencies. Additionally, participation formats experience a digitalization or at least hybridisation that was especially advanced during the COVID pandemic. At the same time, political actors as individuals have to cope with the changes and demands from citizens for digitalization and participation. This shift raises concerns about the systematic neglect of the interests and voices of those with limited digital skills. At the same time, a movement advocating for the right to remain offline formed calling for autonomy of digital technologies. This panel seeks to explore how individual digital competencies from citizens and political actors shape political participation, public life, and broader societal transformations. We invite papers taking a theoretical or empirical perspective employing different methods. We encourage young researchers and authors taking a perspective beyond Europe.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Between AI Literacy and Public Participation: Perspectives from AI Experts in Brazil | View Paper Details |
| Falling Down the Lane: How (Smart) Cities Try to Tackle the Digital Divide | View Paper Details |
| Digital Divide, Digital Capabilities and Feasibility. The Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Participatory Budgeting Process in Brazil | View Paper Details |
| Navigating Hostile Digital Environments: Organised Interests, Hate Speech, and Digital Competencies | View Paper Details |
| Digital Skill Spillover: Public Sector Employee’s Competencies as Prerequisites of Digital Transformation | View Paper Details |