“Democracy between Scylla and Charybdis,

Challenges of Artificial Intelligence and authoritarianism”

University of Malta

8 October 2025, La Valletta, Malta

Speech by Theodoros Rousopoulos

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

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The title of my speech borrows from Homer’s Odyssey.

When Odysseus sailed near the coasts of Sicily, he had to navigate between two monsters — Scylla and Charybdis. On one side, a creature ready to devour him; on the other, a whirlpool ready to swallow his ship. To survive, he had to steer carefully, avoiding both extremes.

Today, democracy faces its own perilous passage.

On one side, the rock of authoritarianism; on the other, the whirlpool of unchecked artificial intelligence. Between them, we must keep our course — guided by wisdom, courage, and values.

1.     The Challenge of Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism promises order, strength, and certainty. It thrives where people lose trust in institutions — when democracy feels slow, or when inequality and corruption feed despair. History teaches us that democracy rarely dies in one night — it erodes gradually: through censorship, fear, disinformation, and the silencing of journalists.

Recent surveys show a troubling trend: nearly one-third of young Europeans say they would prefer an authoritarian leader. In some countries, the number is even higher. This should make us pause.

Authoritarianism is not only a political system; it is a mindset — the belief that someone else can think, decide, and act for us.

Democracy requires participation, even when it is difficult.

2.     The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence does not arrive with military parades or decrees. It enters quietly — through algorithms that influence what we read, watch, and believe. It can advance medicine, improve education, and fight climate change. But it can also reinforce bias, shape public opinion, and threaten privacy.

If authoritarianism means too much control, unregulated AI means too little accountability.

Democracy must find the balance between innovation and protection.

3.     The Council of Europe’s Response

The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, is the oldest pan-European organisation, representing 700 million citizens in 46 member states. Its pillars are Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law.

The Parliamentary Assembly elects the judges of the European Court of Human Rights, observes elections, and gives a voice to national parliaments.

We have abolished the death penalty in Europe, supported democratic transitions, and created landmark treaties such as the Istanbul Convention on violence against women.

We now face new challenges: hybrid warfare, misinformation, and “digital authoritarianism.”

To respond, the Council of Europe adopted the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law — the first international legally binding treaty on AI in the world. It was opened for signature in September 2024, already signed by 16 countries and the European Union.

Its goal: to ensure that technology serves humanity, never the other way around.

4.     The Compass for the Future

To navigate safely between Scylla and Charybdis, we must rely on four instruments:

Transparency: Citizens must understand how algorithms and institutions make decisions.

Education: Young people must be equipped not just with digital skills, but with ethical judgment and critical thinking.

Multilateralism: No state can defend democracy or regulate AI alone. Cooperation through the Council of Europe and the EU is essential.

Courage: The courage to defend truth, to protect the vulnerable, and to resist both the fear of change and the seduction of control.

Dear students,

You are the generation that will both shape and be shaped by this new age. You will write the code, regulate the machines, and preserve the freedom that defines us.

Democracy will not survive through nostalgia, but through renewal — and renewal begins with you. Neither Scylla nor Charybdis can be defeated by strength alone — only by wisdom.

The essence of democracy is not perfection, but resilience: the ability to adapt without losing its soul.

And what is that soul? It is the belief that every person — regardless of power, origin, or wealth — has dignity and rights that no ruler and no machine can take away.

Conclusion

Aldous Huxley warned us, in Brave New World, that “The most efficient totalitarian state is one where people love their servitude”…If we are not vigilant, technology could create “prisons without walls” — societies where freedom erodes not through coercion, but through comfort.

But as Odysseus survived his passage between Scylla and Charybdis by keeping the ship steady, so must we. Democracy is not a destination; it is a voyage.

With wisdom, solidarity, and courage, we can ensure that democracy not only survives the passage — but emerges stronger, more just, and more humane.

Thank you.

I will be happy to take your questions.