“Today, people live in a jungle of information, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from manipulation, and artificial intelligence is already changing the way people think, work, and make decisions. Only countries that adapt quickly and invest in technology will remain competitive,” emphasized Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković at the opening of the jubilee 30th international scientific conference Society and Technology 2026.
Alma Mater Europaea University turned Zagreb into one of Europe’s key centers for discussions on artificial intelligence, democracy, media, and the future of society for two days. The international conference brought together distinguished professors, researchers, technology visionaries, diplomats, business leaders, and security experts from numerous European countries.
Can society even keep up with the pace of technological development anymore
This year’s conference focused on questions that are becoming the central topic of the modern world: who controls artificial intelligence, how algorithms influence public opinion, whether democracy can still keep pace with the digital world at all, and how to preserve humanity in a time of ever-faster automation of society.
The Rector of Alma Mater Europaea University, Prof. Dr. Ludvik Toplak, emphasized that for three decades the conference has been warning that technological development is not merely a matter of progress, but above all a matter of responsibility: »In the age of artificial intelligence and the explosive development of media, social changes are taking place faster than ever before. Without coordinated cooperation between science, technology, business, and society, technological development can deepen global inequalities, destabilize democracy, and cause new social crises.
Democracy can no longer keep pace with the digital world
Particular attention was drawn to the lecture by Associate Professor Matej Mertik of Alma Mater Europaea University, who pointed out that artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological tool, but is becoming a new infrastructure of modern society.
»We have moved from a period when artificial intelligence analyzed data to a period when it creates media reality, images, information, and communication. Today, algorithms no longer influence only what people watch, but also how they understand reality, whom they trust, and how they make decisions,« Mertik emphasized.
Professor Marjan Bojadjijev from the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia warned that the world is entering a period of the “end of certainty,” in which digital platforms are changing the foundations of democracy, public debate, and social relations. According to him, social networks create an environment of emotional polarization, information manipulation, and fragmentation of society.
Artificial intelligence is already deciding on security, migration, and people’s trust
The lecture by Professor Danica Šantić from the University of Belgrade also triggered a strong response, as she presented the use of artificial intelligence in managing migration flows and security systems in the Western Balkans. She warned that advanced algorithms already make it possible today to predict migration patterns and detect potential security risks, while at the same time raising questions of human rights and digital surveillance.
Security expert Goran Košćak emphasized that security today is no longer merely a military issue, but an issue of energy, infrastructure, information, the economy, and social stability. According to him, countries that are overly dependent on a single economic sector become particularly vulnerable in times of geopolitical crises and global upheavals.
Professor Milan Jazbec from New University emphasized that artificial intelligence, digital media, and social networks will decisively shape the diplomacy of the future and international relations.
Europe’s future will depend on the speed of technological development
Special emphasis at this year’s conference was also given to the issue of European competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence. Professor Stjepan Orešković from the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb warned that Europe often does not lag behind because of a lack of innovation, but because it recognizes future technological giants too late.
The anniversary conference Society and Technology 2026 marks 30 years of one of the most important regional platforms for discussing the relationship between technology, society, media, and science. The conference was founded in 1994 by Dr. Juraj Plenković, and its international recognition was significantly co-shaped by the renowned professor of information sciences Prof. Dr. Mario Plenković.
DIT 2026 also confirmed this year that it is an academic event where questions are raised that will determine the future of Europe and the world.
