At the heart of the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair, one of Northern Greece's most historic cultural institutions, the Koventareios Municipal Library of Kozani (KDBK), is taking on a role that transcends traditional knowledge management. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the library is hosting a highly topical event titled "Artificial Intelligence and Democracy: Ethics, Power, and Digital Citizenship," bringing to the fore the urgent need for a new social contract in the era of automated decision-making.

The Collision of Algorithms and Democratic Institutions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a science fiction scenario but a daily reality reshaping the fabric of our society. The KDBK event focuses on how algorithms influence the public sphere. From voter micro-targeting to the creation of "echo chambers" on social networks, democracy faces an unprecedented challenge. The ability of AI systems to analyze vast amounts of data allows political and economic actors to manipulate public opinion with surgical precision.

As will be discussed at the fair, the issue of the "black box transparency" remains central. When decisions affecting citizens' lives—from access to bank loans to workplace performance evaluations—are made by opaque algorithms, the concept of accountability, a cornerstone of democracy, is called into question. KDBK aims to highlight that technology is not neutral; it carries the values and biases of its creators.

Digital Citizenship: The New Role of Libraries

In this shifting landscape, the role of public libraries is being redefined. The Koventareios Library, with its immense historical heritage, is transforming into a laboratory for digital literacy. The event emphasizes the need for "digital citizens" who are not mere consumers of technology but critical users who understand the mechanics of information.

  • Critical Thinking: The ability to distinguish between true information and AI-generated content (deepfakes, AI-generated news).
  • Ethics of Power: Who owns the data, and how does this ownership translate into political influence?
  • Inclusivity: Ensuring that AI does not widen the digital divide, leaving behind segments of the population without access to new technologies.
"Democracy does not die in darkness, but in the lack of critical consciousness regarding the tools that shape it," speakers are expected to emphasize.

From Kozani to the International Stage

The participation of the Municipality of Kozani in the Thessaloniki International Book Fair is an outward-looking move showing that regional institutions can and must lead global debates. KDBK, guardian of rare manuscripts and Rigas Feraios' "Charta," connects the Enlightenment's past with the future of Artificial Intelligence. The discussion on digital citizenship is the modern manifestation of the struggle for free speech and individual autonomy.

The event will also examine the European Union's legal framework (AI Act) and how it can protect citizens from power abuses. However, legislation alone is not enough. An education that places humanity at the center of technological development is required. Thessaloniki, as a meeting point of cultures and ideas, provides the ideal environment for this critical encounter with the future.

Conclusions and Perspectives

As the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair welcomes thousands of visitors, KDBK's initiative reminds us that the book—whether in print or digital form—remains the most powerful weapon against dogmatism. Artificial Intelligence can be a tool for liberation or a means of control. The difference lies in citizen participation and the quality of our democracy. The May 7th discussion is not just an academic analysis but a call to action and vigilance at the dawn of a new era.