The urgency of the digital revolution demands our immediate attention. The recurring public debates in Western democracies over government initiatives to restrict "inciting" content on social media underscore several dilemmas.
How do we balance public safety with freedom of speech? How do we combat fake news without resorting to draconian censorship? And how can we preserve democratic values under the shadow of technologies that often seem to erode them? The regulatory discourse around artificial intelligence, which has exploded into nearly every area of life, also reflects this tension between advancing innovation and safeguarding the public good.
In this context, it is crucial to ask: Should technology be viewed as an existential threat to democracy — or could it be a powerful tool for strengthening liberal democratic systems? The potential of technology to strengthen democracy should inspire hope and optimism in our collective future.
The technological revolution is transforming the language of governance, the sources of power and the boundaries between public and private. In a reality where public discourse occurs primarily on privately owned social platforms, shaped by algorithms and governed by multinational corporations, we must confront a critical question: Can liberal democracy survive the algorithmic age? The need for responsible governance underscores the importance of each individual's role in shaping the future of democracy. The answer is far from reassuring.
More and more countries, including some long considered stable democracies, are exhibiting authoritarian tendencies. According to the 2024 V-Dem Institute report, over 40 countries are experiencing a consistent decline in democratic indicators: weakening rule of law, press freedom, civil liberties, separation of powers and freedom of association. Israel, too, has witnessed a decline in public trust in government institutions, reduced accessibility to public services and growing disillusionment with the transparency and responsiveness of the state.
Yet within this crisis lies a unique opportunity. If designed and deployed responsibly, technology can become a lever for democratic renewal. In Taiwan, for example, the government developed the vTaiwan platform, allowing citizens to digitally participate in shaping legislation. This is a prime example of how technology, when used ethically, can foster transparency, reduce polarization and enhance legitimacy and trust.
Israel, too, has digital platforms such as Gov.il and various public consultation sites. However, these primarily focus on information access rather than enabling active civic participation that could drive actual policy change. This creates a window of opportunity to integrate digital participation tools at the municipal level, improve accessibility for underrepresented communities and harness AI tools to identify social trends and gaps, all while maintaining strict ethical standards and necessary safeguards.
Law enforcement agencies also play a critical role in the democratic trust equation. Beyond their legal authority, institutions such as the police, prosecution and judiciary are meant to serve as "guardians of public values." In an era where law enforcement is sometimes perceived as biased or inconsistent, technology can be used to promote transparency and equality.
For example, data analytics tools can help identify disparities in enforcement and uncover systemic biases; body-worn cameras and digital evidence management systems can function not only as enforcement tools but as mechanisms of accountability and oversight; community policing apps can foster collaboration between police and local communities, building mutual trust and shared priorities; and AI-driven analysis of citizen complaints and service requests can serve as an ethical compass for law enforcement strategy and policy.
When law enforcement is carried out transparently, based on equitable information and subject to public oversight, it strengthens not only public order but the democratic system itself.
Major General (ret.) Boaz Gilad However, the road ahead is complex. There are significant structural, regulatory and technological barriers: outdated privacy laws ill-suited to real-time data realities, concerns over algorithmic bias, the concentration of technological power in the hands of digital monopolies and glaring gaps in digital literacy among the public. Yet these challenges should not deter us from harnessing the potential of digital democracy. They should compel us to pursue a more thoughtful, responsible and balanced path forward.
In this regard, Israel may be uniquely positioned to lead. Despite deep societal tensions and a fragile public trust in institutions, the country boasts a world-class technological infrastructure and a vibrant culture of innovation and civic activism. This combination presents a strategic opportunity to act.
Decision-makers in government, municipalities and the public sector must step up. They must establish open digital platforms for civic engagement, publish enforcement data transparently, reevaluate and modernize oversight mechanisms for technological tools and encourage ethical regulation that is not hostage to short-term political pressures.
Democracy is not merely a system of governance. It is a relationship between citizens and their state. Like any relationship, it requires trust, maintenance and open dialogue. If we surrender spaces of influence to closed algorithms or commercial platforms, we risk losing not just democracy but our sense of ownership and belonging within it.
But if we choose to write the code together transparently, responsibly, and in open conversation, we may not only preserve democracy but improve and strengthen it.
- Boaz Gilad is a retired major general from the Shin Bet and the Israel National Police. He is currently an entrepreneur and a businessman, a researcher at the Institute for Personal Security and Community Resilience at the Western Galilee Academic College, and a fellow at the International Counterterrorism Institute at Reichman University.