Facing the Golem: Disruptive Technologies vs Democracy in the EU Digital Single Market

This contribution argues in favour of a regulatory framework that is aware of the threats to democracy and EU values arising from disruptive technologies. Regulation of technological innovations is an increasingly important aspect of the EU Internal Market, up to the point of shaping an entirely new field, the Digital Single Market. It is crucial to develop the regulation of technological innovations in a way that complies with EU values and does not undermine the democratic process. To develop thoughts and ideas on this subject, the paper will focus on defining disruptive technology's fundamental values and analysing the relevant body of EU secondary law. Then, the author seeks to assess the readiness of EU primary and secondary law with the risks and opportunities posed by disruptive technologies and outlines the importance of compliance with EU fundamental values for the strategic autonomy of the EU. Finally, the author presents some ideas to help the EU legal order fill the gap in the protection from threats to democracy and EU fundamental values that comes from disruptive technologies.