The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences
The present study investigates the evolution of public institutional communication in the European Union in the context of accelerating digital transformation. It introduces a conceptual framework for understanding the emergence of a ‘post-digital’ European public sphere, where digital technologies...
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| Language: | English |
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Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
2025-04-01
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| Series: | methaodos.revista de ciencias sociales |
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| Online Access: | https://www.methaodos.org/revista-methaodos/index.php/methaodos/article/view/866 |
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| author | Sara Pane |
| author_facet | Sara Pane |
| author_sort | Sara Pane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present study investigates the evolution of public institutional communication in the European Union in the context of accelerating digital transformation. It introduces a conceptual framework for understanding the emergence of a ‘post-digital’ European public sphere, where digital technologies –rather than becoming obsolete– are deeply integrated into human-machine interactions. A key driver of this shift is generative artificial intelligence (AI), which increasingly mediates public discourse and governance processes. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on expert interviews, examining how AI-driven systems are transforming institutional communication practices and reshaping citizen participation within the EU’s multilevel governance and regulatory environment. Findings show that EU institutions are progressively integrating AI tools, such as chatbots, into their communication strategies to enhance efficiency and citizen engagement. However, this transformation raises critical challenges, including algorithmic bias, transparency, ethical governance, and democratic accountability. The discussion addresses the epistemological implications of AI integration, highlighting how digital automation is influencing both theoretical approaches and research methodologies in the social sciences. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the socio-technical dynamics underpinning the EU’s evolving public communication and the broader consequences of AI-driven governance in a post-digital context. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b7ae90f2ce7449eeb968a0ecb5213a00 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2340-8413 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Universidad Rey Juan Carlos |
| record_format | Article |
| series | methaodos.revista de ciencias sociales |
| spelling | doaj-art-b7ae90f2ce7449eeb968a0ecb5213a002025-08-20T03:48:31ZengUniversidad Rey Juan Carlosmethaodos.revista de ciencias sociales2340-84132025-04-01131m251301a08m251301a0810.17502/mrcs.v13i1.866785The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciencesSara PaneThe present study investigates the evolution of public institutional communication in the European Union in the context of accelerating digital transformation. It introduces a conceptual framework for understanding the emergence of a ‘post-digital’ European public sphere, where digital technologies –rather than becoming obsolete– are deeply integrated into human-machine interactions. A key driver of this shift is generative artificial intelligence (AI), which increasingly mediates public discourse and governance processes. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on expert interviews, examining how AI-driven systems are transforming institutional communication practices and reshaping citizen participation within the EU’s multilevel governance and regulatory environment. Findings show that EU institutions are progressively integrating AI tools, such as chatbots, into their communication strategies to enhance efficiency and citizen engagement. However, this transformation raises critical challenges, including algorithmic bias, transparency, ethical governance, and democratic accountability. The discussion addresses the epistemological implications of AI integration, highlighting how digital automation is influencing both theoretical approaches and research methodologies in the social sciences. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the socio-technical dynamics underpinning the EU’s evolving public communication and the broader consequences of AI-driven governance in a post-digital context.https://www.methaodos.org/revista-methaodos/index.php/methaodos/article/view/866algorithmic governanceartificial intelligencecitizen engagementpublic institutional communicationeuropean union |
| spellingShingle | Sara Pane The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences methaodos.revista de ciencias sociales algorithmic governance artificial intelligence citizen engagement public institutional communication european union |
| title | The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences |
| title_full | The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences |
| title_fullStr | The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences |
| title_full_unstemmed | The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences |
| title_short | The european 'post-digital' public sphere: foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences |
| title_sort | european post digital public sphere foundations of an emerging paradigm in the social sciences |
| topic | algorithmic governance artificial intelligence citizen engagement public institutional communication european union |
| url | https://www.methaodos.org/revista-methaodos/index.php/methaodos/article/view/866 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sarapane theeuropeanpostdigitalpublicspherefoundationsofanemergingparadigminthesocialsciences AT sarapane europeanpostdigitalpublicspherefoundationsofanemergingparadigminthesocialsciences |