Political Tech Summit 2026: On Truth and Technology
The 2026 Political Tech Summit focused on artificial intelligence, political campaigns, and citizen participation - all burning issues for political tech today. One of the main ideas that emerged from the summit is that technology alone is not enough. While artificial intelligence and social media visibility are powerful tools, they cannot replace clear political leadership and a well-defined vision for change. A candidate must have a solid understanding of the problems people express and a coherent proposal to address them. Being or going viral and the ability to communicate ideas in simple language are important tools, but they must be supported by strong and consistent content. A successful message needs to be thoughtful, connected to reality, and capable of reflecting the complexity of today’s challenges and their possible solutions.
Another important discussion focused on the scale of digital communication, particularly through private messaging platforms such as WhatsApp. A significant amount of political messaging and advertising circulates through these channels, yet we do not fully understand or measure its magnitude. The numbers, reach, and real impact of these exchanges remain largely unknown, which raises important questions about transparency and influence in modern campaigns.
The summit also highlighted the increasing competition for people’s attention and engagement. Today, many initiatives, campaigns, and movements are trying to attract supporters, volunteers, and active participants. As a result, they are all competing within the same digital space. In this environment, only those organizations that find dynamic and sustainable ways to involve people over time can achieve meaningful results. Interactive technological platforms can play an important role in building community, strengthening cohesion, and maintaining long-term engagement.
However, the use of technology also presents structural challenges.
Political campaigns that lack expertise in digital tools often face what can be described as a principal-agent problem. Without sufficient knowledge, campaign leaders may struggle to evaluate which platforms, products, or services are truly useful. This creates vulnerability. In many cases, campaigns become dependent on companies or consultants whose main objective is to sell services rather than to provide honest and effective solutions.
For this reason, although AI and digital tools can significantly enhance political work, they cannot replace human judgment. Critical thinking and informed decisionmaking are essential to assess what AI systems suggest and what consultants propose. Technology should serve campaigns and governments as a strategic instrument, not as an automatic solution. Its use requires evaluation, reflection, and responsibility to ensure that it contributes meaningfully to democratic processes rather than simply automating decisions without careful analysis.
