Barcelona GPM 2026: Political tech panel — How to register

As the world faces critical turmoil, the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM) offers a necessary alternative to conservative and far-right forces. This platform aims to make progressive solutions visible and credible, proving they are the key to humanity’s prosperity. By uniting regions and generations, we will defend democracy and advance social justice. That is why we will come together in Barcelona, Spain, on 17–18 April 2026 for the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilisation — to turn conviction into action and ambition into results.

Technology for Progressive Power in the Age of AI Politics

When and where

Friday 17 April 2026, 17:00–18:00 · room Nelson Mandela.

This session is by registration only.

Technology is often associated with surveillance, manipulation, polarization and disinformation and misinformation, and is widely used by anti-democratic, authoritarian and extreme-right forces. Yet the same tools can be turned to our advantage to strengthen progressive, values-driven organizations and build lasting political power.

The progressive movement faces an asymmetric challenge, but also a strategic opportunity. The question is how to deploy technology not just as a set of tools, but as infrastructure for progressive power across public debate, governance and democratic participation—and how to do so in ways that are consistent with our values.

Digital platforms and AI can still supercharge grassroots mobilization and public engagement when used deliberately. Social media, data and generative AI systems can help grow supporter communities, test and refine narratives, and sustain always-on communication that challenges extreme-right frames and counters disinformation and misinformation in public life.

This side event will focus on how progressives can turn technology and AI into a competitive advantage, not just a threat to manage. We will look at the progressive tech gap, emerging efforts to close it, and practical ways to build a coherent ecosystem that links media, organizing, and governance—using digital tools and AI proactively to organize supporters, shape the agenda, and build durable influence over the direction of our societies.

Speakers

Óscar López Águeda, Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service (Spain)
Nina Santos, Deputy Secretary of Digital Policies, Secretariat of Social Communication (Brazil)
Jim Arkedis, President, CEO and Co-Founder, Electica (United States)
Paulina Lampsa, Executive Vice President, Socialist International (Greece)
Neal Lawson, Executive Director, Compass (United Kingdom)
Manos Moschopoulos, Executive Director, LeftForward (Greece)
Clare O’Donoghue Velikić, Founder and Director, ODV Digital (Ireland)

For the wider programme of the mobilisation, see globalprogressivemobilisation.org.

Full context and both LeftForward panels: LeftForward at the Global Progressive Mobilisation.