Civil Society Organizations in the Age of AI

The increasing presence of artificial intelligence in public communication and governance raises fundamental questions about the role of civil society organizations in contemporary democracies. As AI-driven systems shape information environments and decision-making processes, civil society organizations are often regarded as key actors responsible for safeguarding democratic values, promoting public accountability, and fostering social trust. This paper offers a conceptual analysis of the role of civil society organizations in the age of AI. It will examine how the expansion of AI reframes expectations toward CSOs within democratic societies. Drawing on literature from democratic theory, political communication, and studies of algorithmic governance, the paper maps the normative and functional roles commonly ascribed to civil society organizations in AI-related debates, including representation, mediation, advocacy, and public education. By focusing on the role attributed to civil society organizations, the aim of the paper is to highlight the tensions between normative expectations and structural conditions that shape civil society action in AI-mediated environments. The paper contributes to ongoing debates on how democracy is mediated not only by institutions and technologies, but also by the evolving role of civil society in the age of artificial intelligence.