Artificial Intelligence in Participatory Environments: Technologies, Ethics, and Literacy Aspects

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches date back more than 60 years, there is no doubt that in the last 4 years, we have entered the era of AI. The advanced capabilities of Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) have noticeably reshaped multiple sectors, becoming a driving force in participatory environments. Recent developments in Machine/Deep Learning (ML/DL) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) have enabled the introduction of tools and applications integrated into various professional fields. Areas ranging from education and media to art, tourism, and food science incorporate AI technologies to optimize established workflows, facilitate change, enhance creativity, and foster interaction. The current Special Issue includes nineteen multidisciplinary research works exploring AI in participatory environments, primarily focusing on technologies, ethics, and literacy aspects. Employing diverse methodologies, the research identifies various uses of AI along with the critical ethical and legal risks and challenges they entail. Concerns about inaccuracy, algorithmic bias, data infringements, and the potential erosion of transparency and interpretability need to be addressed in every phase of the design and implementation of AI technologies. Co-creative human-in-the-loop processes and human judgment need to be further strengthened and supported through digital/AI literacy initiatives. In this regard, effective regulatory frameworks, inclusive institutional strategies, and targeted training programs can ensure responsible and trustworthy AI use with a balance between technological evolution and human oversight.