PES AI Working Group: Calling for a Democratic, Fair, Sustainable, Ethic and Competitive AI in Europe

The Party of European Socialists (PES) convened progressive political leaders, experts, and partners from across Europe to discuss how to frame the impact Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can potentially reshape democracy, economies, and the digital public space.

The discussion took place within the newly established PES AI Working Group, mandated by the PES Presidency in December 2025 and chaired by Katarina Barley, PES Executive Vice-President and Vice-President of the European Parliament, to help shape a strong progressive approach to AI and digital governance in Europe.

As the European Union moves from adopting legislation to implementing key digital rules such as the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), participants stressed that technological development must remain firmly aligned with democratic values, fundamental rights and public interest.

The discussion focused on the political choices that are shaping Europe's digital future, including how to guarantee effective enforcement of EU rules, safeguard media pluralism, and democratic debate, protect our children online, and respond to the growing concentration of technological power at global level.

Katarina Barley, Chair of the PES AI Working Group, said:

"Europe has already shown global leadership in regulating the digital space, from the GDPR to the AI Act and the Digital Services Act. The strength of our common European legal framework has been so consequential that it has drawn the ire of figures such as Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and their tech-bro friends.

Legislation is only the first step. The real test now lies in implementation and enforcement, ensuring these rules genuinely protect democratic debate, fundamental rights, and public interest.

Artificial Intelligence is not only a technological issue. It is a democratic one. The way AI is developed and governed will shape who holds power in our societies.

Progressives must be clear: innovation must go hand in hand with strong democratic safeguards, transparency, and accountability."

Participants also exchanged views on the broader implications of AI for democracy, equality, and sovereignty, and underlined the need for a strong progressive approach that combines innovation with accountability, transparency, and public oversight.

The PES AI Working Group will continue its work in the coming months, contributing to a common progressive vision for AI governance in Europe. One that protects democracy, strengthens citizens' rights, and ensures that technological progress works for society.

Participants' list:

• Katarina Barley - Chair, PES
• Saar van Bueren - Deputy Secretary General, PES
• Sabine Seuss - Policy Advisor of the Parliamentary Group, SPÖ Austria
• Nima Labani - Brussels Region Parliamentary Advisor, PS Belgium
• Ferdinand van der Gracht - Advisor on AI and digital affairs to federal Minister Rob Beenders, Vooruit Belgium
• Kristian Vigenin - Member of European Parliament, BSP Bulgaria
• Ivan Matasić - Policy Advisor on Digital Society, SDP Croatia
• Josko Klisovic - International Secretary, Member of the CoR, SDP Croatia
• Anna Ascani - MP, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies and Chair of the Parliament's Committee on Documentation, PD Italy
• Timo Harakka - Member of Parliament, SDP Finland
• Serge LeGal - Federal Councilor (Belgique), PS France
• Kata Tüttő - President, Committee of the Regions
• Heike Raab - State Secretary, State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate and President of the CoR SEDEC Commission, CoR / SPD Germany
• Antonio Mazzeo - Vice President of the Regional Assembly of Tuscany and Member of the CoR ECON and SEDEC Commissions, CoR / PD Italy
• Laura Harmon - Senator, LP Ireland
• Marc Angel - Member of the European Parliament, LSAP Luxembourg
• Barbara Kathmann - Member of Parliament and GroenLinks-PvdA spokesperson, Netherlands
• Audun Otterstad - Political Advisor to the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Labour Party Norway
• Joakim Snekkevik Hevrøy - Political Advisor, Labour Party Norway
• Jamila Madeira - National Secretary for International Relations, PS Portugal
• Joshua Carrington - Chief Technology Officer (CTO), LP UK
• Min Li Marti - Member of Parliament, SP Switzerland
• Sonja Kovac - PES Women Vice President, PES Women
• Vanessa Zwisele - Project Officer, FEPS
• Annika Memmel - Assistant European Parliament, Katarina Barley, S&D Group
• Antoine Mertzeisen - Advisor Cabinet CoR President, Kata Tüttő, Committee of the Regions
• Corina Poppa - Political Advisor, S&D Group
• Louisa Bentley - Assistant, S&D Group
• Katrin Mikolaiczyk - Policy Advisor, PES at CoR
• Constantin Kourkoulas - Head of EU Policy Unit, PES
• Rúben Félix - Justice and Home Affairs, Democracy & Horizontal Policies Adviser, PES