In his keynote, Lauritsen addresses a crucial question of our time: How does digitalization affect the way we, as citizens, participate in democracy? Danish democracy has long been characterized by a strong tradition of dialogue and community. Today, however, discussions have moved from public squares and council chambers to digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter, changing the conditions for how we engage.

On the one hand, digitalization has given us faster access to information and the ability to participate in debates across geographical and temporal boundaries. On the other hand, challenges related to misinformation and polarization have become prominent. Lauritsen emphasizes that we cannot ignore these realities, and that the education system has a crucial role in preparing us for the digital era.

According to Lauritsen, universities should not only educate people for the job market but should also take responsibility for forming digital citizens capable of constructive democratic engagement. Digital literacy is not just about being able to use technology; it’s about understanding its societal impact—and ultimately, about strengthening democracy and citizenship.

He also warns against overlooking the new vulnerabilities digitalization introduces. In a world where artificial intelligence and data algorithms increasingly influence decision-making processes, there’s a risk that human participation will be marginalized. Who really holds power in the digital democracy of the future? This is a question we must address as a society, and the education system must be part of the solution.

Lauritsen concludes with a clear call to action: If we do not take digitalization seriously as a democratic challenge, we risk letting technology control more than we do ourselves.

Read Lauritsen’s full keynote here: https://digitalcurriculum.au.dk/fileadmin/DigitalCurriculum/Peter_Lauritsen_Talk.pdf