From the “Triumph of Democracy” to the “Tyrany of Algorithms”: New Challenges for Democracy in the Era of Digital Revolution

Abstract

In the contemporary world, we can observe a fundamental transformation of political processes triggered by the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence. The purpose of this work is to assess the scale and nature of the impact of advanced digital technologies on the architecture of democratic choice, analyzing the transition from classical models of expression of will to algorithmically controlled reality. The relevance of the research is justified by the need to understand the new economic logic of political communication, where the marginal cost of creating compelling content tends to zero, and the mechanisms of “sycophancy” and microtargeting pose a threat to the epistemological security of society. Based on empirical data from the global election cycle of 2024, the article examines the practice of using synthetic media and deepfakes, which have become a ubiquitous tool of political struggle. Special attention is paid to the phenomenon of the “liar's dividend”, which undermines trust in government institutions, and the risks of becoming an “algocracy”, where key decisions are made by opaque models of multinational corporations. The authors conclude that preserving democracy requires not just adapting to new conditions, but proactively building a democratic AI infrastructure capable of redirecting technological potential from manipulation to increased civic participation.