On 24 June 2026, TWIN4DEM organised an online stakeholder workshop titled “Keeping Humans in the Loop: AI Auditing, Transparency and Accountability in the Age of Hybrid Intelligence.” delivered by project partner Eticas. The workshop was organised in collaboration with Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) and was addressed to the doctoral candidates of the HYBRIDS Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network. The session explored how AI auditing can help ensure that AI systems remain transparent, accountable and aligned with democratic values while keeping humans at the centre of AI-enabled decision-making.

The workshop was presented by Alex Magaard, Head of Policy at Eticas, who introduced participants to the principles and practical applications of AI auditing. Drawing on Eticas’ expertise in evaluating AI systems, the session demonstrated how structured auditing methodologies can improve the reliability, fairness and transparency of AI tools throughout their lifecycle.

A key focus of the workshop was understanding where and when AI systems should be audited. Participants explored the different stages of AI development, from data collection and model training to deployment and post-deployment monitoring, highlighting the responsibilities of both AI developers and researchers using AI systems. The discussion emphasised that meaningful auditing begins with understanding how an AI system is built and how humans interact with it.

To support this process, Eticas introduced a six-component socio-technical system mapping framework, covering the data, model, outputs, human-AI interaction, societal impact, and monitoring mechanisms of AI systems. This approach enables researchers to identify potential risks before they become operational issues while ensuring that human oversight remains embedded throughout the system.

The workshop also demonstrated how system mapping can be translated into practical risk identification. Participants examined a comprehensive AI risk taxonomy addressing governance, bias and fairness, privacy, reliability, security, misuse and environmental sustainability. For each category, the session presented strategies for detecting and mitigating risks during the pre-processing, in-processing and post-processing phases of an AI system’s lifecycle.

To illustrate these concepts in practice, Eticas presented two case studies. The first examined a hate speech classifier, showing how technical and socio-technical system mapping can reveal risks related to transparency, appeals mechanisms and bias. The second focused on the TWIN4DEM Digital Twin, demonstrating how auditing methodologies are being adapted to evaluate an agent-based simulation designed to support research on executive aggrandisement and democratic resilience.

The Digital Twin example highlighted several important considerations, including documenting system limitations through model cards, improving transparency for end users, supporting consistent scenario construction, and identifying structural assumptions that may influence simulation outcomes. These examples illustrated that auditing is not only about identifying failures, but also about strengthening confidence in AI systems by clearly communicating both their capabilities and limitations.

The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion on how researchers, policymakers and technology developers can work together to ensure AI systems remain accountable, transparent and centred on human oversight. By bringing together technical expertise and stakeholder perspectives, the event contributed to TWIN4DEM’s broader mission of developing trustworthy AI tools that support democratic governance.

As the project progresses, TWIN4DEM will continue organising stakeholder engagement activities to foster dialogue, share project developments and promote responsible AI practices across research and policymaking communities.

As part of this dedicated session showcasing research initiatives, Laura Dioșan (UBB) presented an overview of the TWIN4DEM project, outlining its core aims, innovative use of Computational Social Science and digital twin technologies, and its contribution to understanding democratic resilience and executive aggrandisement in Europe.

The topics covered in the presentation included the project’s motivation, methodological approach, anticipated outputs and the ways in which TWIN4DEM seeks to advance multidisciplinary research on democratic backsliding.

More about the conference’s Projects Panel and the full list of participating research projects can be found here: https://innocomp.eu/projects-panel/2025

Clara Egger and Raul Magni-Berton presented “TWIN4DEM: A Conceptual Framework for Strengthening Democratic Resilience through Digital Twins.”
Their talk introduced the TWIN4DEM framework, which models democratic systems as interconnected complex network systems (CNS). Each module within this model represents a core democratic function. At the heart of the framework are three key types of institutional agents:

• Executive actors (e.g., heads of state, ministers)

• Legislators

• Judicial actors (in constitutional or administrative courts)

These agents possess either initiative or veto powers, and their actions are influenced by both structural incentives,such as electoral systems, party structures, and socio-economic contexts, and individual preferences, including policy priorities and authoritarian orientations.

Csilla Zsigmond, representing the Hungarian TWIN4DEM team, delivered a presentation entitled “Parallel Institutions: The ‘Soft’ Mechanisms of Executive Aggrandizement — The Case of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium.”Her analysis drew on theoretical perspectives that view de-democratization not only as the dismantling of democratic institutions but also as the gradual transformation of formal and informal power structures that erode pluralism, accountability, and political contestation. The presentation explored how the emergence of parallel institutional systems can contribute to the expansion of executive power.

Both presentations were featured in the session “Autocratic Tendencies and Democratic Responses,” organized by Margit Feischmidt, Márton Gerő, and Dániel Mikecz. Notably, Márton Gerő is also a member of the Hungarian TWIN4DEM team.

Exploring Digital Twins for Democratic Resilience

The event offered a deep dive into how digital twins can revolutionize democratic processes by enhancing decision-making, promoting democratic resilience, and addressing ethical implications in governance. Discussions revolved around:

– Supporting Decision-Making: Leveraging digital twins to provide data-driven insights for policymakers.

– Combating Democratic Decline: Exploring strategies to counteract the erosion of democratic values using technology.

– Ethical Implications: Addressing concerns about privacy, fairness, and transparency in implementing these innovations.

Expert Insights and Engaging Discussions

We were honored to have an exceptional lineup of speakers who shared their expertise:

– Dr. Clara Egger – Erasmus University Rotterdam & Principal Investigator of TWIN4DEM

– Prof. dr. Giangiacomo Bravo – Linnaeus University, Sweden

– Prof. dr. Maaike Harbers – Hogeschool Rotterdam

– Roland van der Heijden – City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam Citiverse

– Frederike Manders – Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics

– Erika Nika – EU Project Manager at DBC diadikasia

The event kicked off with Marcel van Oosterhout, Executive Director at ECDA, providing insights into Digital Twins. The subsequent panel discussion brought diverse perspectives, delving into:

– Using Digital Twins in Democracy Research: Examining how virtual models can simulate political systems to analyze policy impacts.

– Innovative Approaches to Democratic Challenges: Utilizing computational tools to address societal and ethical issues.

– Immersive Experience for Democratic Engagement: At the Immersive Xperience Lab, participants explored democracy dashboards and XR (Extended Reality) experiences, offering a glimpse into the future of civic engagement.

Watch the Full Event Recording

Did you miss the event or want to revisit the discussions? Watch the full recording here and gain valuable insights from leading experts in digital twins, democracy, and ethics in technology.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

The meeting covered essential aspects of the project, including the conceptual framework, technological implementation, ethical considerations, and stakeholder engagement. Below are the main discussions held during the sessions:

1. Conceptual Architecture of the Digital Twin (DT)

Led by ICL, this session focused on defining the key components of the Digital Twin, identifying the necessary inputs, and establishing a clear timeline for its development. A preliminary list of agents to be included in the model was also outlined.

2. Development Cycle & Data Integration

Presented by UBB, this discussion centered on the Digital Twin’s development cycle, the types of data required, and the formats and sources for data collection. The session aimed to ensure that all partners align on data needs and integration processes.

3. Detecting Executive Aggrandisement in Legal Texts

Led by FBK, this session examined different methodologies for detecting executive aggrandisement in legal documents. Participants worked on refining the approach by identifying relevant keywords and structuring a workflow for analysis.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Dissemination Strategy

Facilitated by DBC and DI, this discussion outlined the strategy for engaging stakeholders, planning focus groups, and disseminating project findings. Key aspects of communication and outreach activities were also defined.

5. Data Management & Ethics

Chaired by ETICAS and EUR, this session addressed data governance and ethical concerns related to the Digital Twin. Discussions covered the ethical risks associated with data use, the implementation of privacy guidelines, and strategies for responsible data management.

6. Grant Management & Governance

Led by the Project Officer and EUR, this session reviewed the administrative aspects of the project, including grant management obligations, internal reporting structures, and governance mechanisms to ensure smooth project coordination.

Panel Discussion on Innovation and Ethics

A key highlight was the public panel discussion, organized in collaboration with the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics. Experts in Digital Twin development explored topics such as technological innovation, societal impact, and ethical considerations. The panel was also livestreamed to engage a wider audience.

Looking Ahead

With the foundational discussions completed, the TWIN4DEM project now moves forward with the next phases of development, focusing on implementing the Digital Twin framework, refining data methodologies, and ensuring strong ethical governance. The insights gained from the kick-off meeting will play a crucial role in guiding the project’s future activities.