The information age has redefined the role of traditional journalism and media outlets, challenged their authority and dissolved their monopoly on the spread of information. The now widespread algorithmic production, dissemination and consumption of news cast doubt on the media’s ability to support democratic processes by preparing citizens to participate in them.
European Digital Deal is a three-year investigation co-funded by Creative Europe into how the accelerated, yet at times unconsidered adoption of new technologies – such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and algorithmic processing – can alter or undermine democratic processes.
The project aims to a become a new kind of public forum where cultural institutions, artists, researchers, educators gather to reflect on what a deal that safeguards democratic values in the digital realm might look like, and the role they can play in shaping it.
The programme will provide up to 25.000 EURO funding per residency and will take place between April and December 2024 for up to nine months.
As new technologies become part and parcel of the ways in which we disseminate and consume information or interact with public administration, they mould our view of the world and our relationship with governments. The European Digital Deal focuses on exposing the present-day risks new technologies pose to our societies, at the same time as questioning the current architecture of innovation processes to make a case for the assessment of long-term environmental and societal impacts.
The project has a focus into three areas essential to safeguarding democratic values within societies:
Eligible candidates are individual artists or duos/groups/collectives, artists that have produced enough artworks for the jury to assess their artistic experience, artists with previous experience collaborating with companies and/or research institutions will be valued but is not a condition for participation, citizens or permanent residents of all EU and non-EU countries.
The open call will launch on the 28th of September at 10 AM CET so stay tuned and be the first to apply!
Photo Credit Ars Electronica, Robert Bauernhans, Fake News at Deep Space, Ars Electronica Center. Photo in the background by Lucas Jackson_Reuters.
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