Safeguarding the "Sovereignty of Mind" in the Age of AI

Generative AI has moved beyond productivity tools. Today, conversational AI systems interact directly with users, influencing how we access information, form opinions, and make decisions. Unlike traditional media platforms, these systems can engage emotionally, simulate intimacy, and learn from highly personal interactions, potentially affecting attention, trust, memory, and preferences over repeated interactions.

At the 2026 International Forum on Digital and Democracy (IFDaD) at the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF), leading policymakers, scholars, technology experts, and civil society representatives gathered to discuss one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to safeguard democratic resilience and human autonomy in an era dominated by AI.

A central theme of the discussion was the structural shift from AI systems that curate content to systems that shape conversation. Unlike traditional media platforms that primarily filtered information flows, conversational AI systems interact directly with users in personalized, adaptive exchanges. They do not merely determine what information is visible; they can influence how issues are framed, how options are evaluated, and how decisions are formed.

Participants and Roles

The forum was moderated by Erika Stael von Holstein, Chief Executive of Re-Imagine Europa, and Gianluca Misuraca, Founder and CEO of Inspiring Futures Europe. The panel included distinguished experts:

• Bernard Benhamou – Policy advisor on digital transformation
• Emanuela Girardi – AI ethics researcher
• Gry Hasselbalch – AI policy and governance specialist
• Paul Nemitz – European Commission expert on fundamental rights
• Simona Tiribelli – Media and communication scholar
• Christian Kastrop – Former State Secretary, Germany; President & CEO, Global Solutions Initiative

Closing remarks were delivered by Stefano Quintarelli, entrepreneur and digital policy innovator.

Key Risks for Democracy

• AI systems can shape opinions and influence behavior at scale, often outside the visibility of public debate and beyond traditional content moderation.
• Vulnerable groups, including young users, socially isolated individuals, and populations with limited digital literacy, are particularly exposed to manipulation and dependency.
• Societies risk eroding open public debate and institutional trust if these technologies go unchecked.

The Cannes Declaration on the Sovereignty of Mind

A central outcome of the forum was the Cannes Declaration, emphasizing protection against industrial-scale manipulation of cognition. Key recommendations include:

• Designing AI with cognitive autonomy and human dignity as constraints.
• Safeguarding against emotional manipulation and dependency by design.
• Ensuring accountability for providers of anthropomorphic and conversational AI services.
• Promoting democratic resilience through public interest AI infrastructure.
• Investing in education, digital literacy, and ethical formation.

The Declaration underscores that innovation should enhance democratic values rather than undermine them.

Technological Sovereignty Matters

The forum highlighted the need for democracies worldwide to avoid structural dependence on a small number of actors controlling advanced AI systems and their infrastructures. Europe’s responsibility to strengthen its own technological capacity, including the development of European foundational models aligned with democratic values, was emphasized. Building resilient, public-interest AI infrastructures in Europe contributes to a balanced global ecosystem and supports international cooperation.

Education and Global Cooperation Are Essential

Digital literacy today is not only about technical skills but also ethical reflection, civic awareness, and critical thinking. AI’s global supply chains require international cooperation. Protecting cognitive autonomy cannot be achieved by isolated national efforts.

Looking Ahead

The discussions in Cannes demonstrate growing awareness of these challenges. By contributing to the Cannes Declaration for the Sovereignty of Mind, the Global Solutions Initiative ensures AI innovation aligns with democratic principles, human dignity, and institutional trust. GSI is also engaged globally, working across regions and multistakeholder forums, translating principles into practical measures that strengthen democratic agency worldwide. The Global Solutions Summit 2026 in Berlin will advance practical solutions for responsible, human-centred AI governance. Safeguarding the sovereignty of mind is about shaping innovation responsibly so human thought and democratic integrity remain central in the digital age.