ALARM is a four-year project designed to strengthen the role of citizens and civil society organisations in overseeing the development and use of artificial intelligence in Serbia. It focuses particularly on areas where AI systems and automated decision-making can directly affect people’s rights and life opportunities: employment, healthcare, education, social welfare and justice.
The project starts from the premise that responsible AI governance is not solely a matter of technology and regulation. If emerging rules and the systems governed by them are to protect people effectively, it is necessary to understand how AI is used in practice, who is most exposed to its consequences, how well citizens understand their rights, and what mechanisms are available to request an explanation, human review or remedy when an automated system affects a decision concerning them.
ALARM therefore combines research, monitoring of AI deployment, civil society capacity building and policy advocacy. A representative survey of approximately 1,200 adults and four focus groups will provide evidence on citizens’ experiences, attitudes and trust regarding the use of AI. These findings will be linked to the monitoring of Serbia’s emerging regulatory framework and its alignment with European rules on artificial intelligence, as well as to the examination of concrete cases in which automated systems may affect human rights, equality and access to public services.
A major component of the project is to connect organisations already working on human rights, labour rights, non-discrimination, health, education, social protection, justice, consumer protection and digital rights. ALARM will develop a national civil society network and a digital platform for sharing knowledge, documenting cases and tracking changes in regulation and practice. Through workshops, public panels and expert consultations, participating organisations will strengthen their ability to identify risks, scrutinise the use of AI systems and contribute to public policy development.
Particular attention will be given to organisations outside Belgrade and to groups that may face a higher risk of discrimination or exclusion. Through a small-grants programme, at least 15 civil society organisations will receive support to conduct local activities, research, public campaigns and initiatives aimed at improving accountability and transparency in the use of artificial intelligence.
Project findings will be translated into policy briefs, recommendations, infographics, public discussions and concrete proposals for improving regulation and institutional practice. ALARM’s longer-term objective is to help establish a sustainable model of civic oversight of AI in Serbia: a network of organisations and experts able to follow how new rules and systems work in practice, identify emerging problems and advocate solutions in which technological development goes hand in hand with the protection of citizens’ rights.
This page was created and is maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Re:People – Centre for Society and Technology and the ALARM project partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.