The new digital networks and their AI management by design

(on the proposal for a Digital Networks Act – DNA)

Alexandre Veronese [Professor of University of Brasília, Key external member of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Digital Citizenship and Technological Sustainability” (CitDig), University of Minho] and Alessandra Silveira (Editor of this blog, Coordinator of CitDig, University of Minho)

The Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposal has been adopted on 21 January 2026, aiming to create a simplified and more harmonised legal framework, because an advanced digital infrastructure is critical for enabling the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud, space and other innovative technologies. The idea behind the proposal is that a cutting-edge digital infrastructure is fundamental for Europe’s economy and society.[1] However, this leads us to think critically about what is or is not desirable about digital networks.

Some academic concepts suffer from social translation into catchphrases. Some become real slogans. Two are important for the Internet debate. The first is Jonathan Zittrain idea of a generative Internet.[2] The second is network neutrality. Both are very helpful to think about the Internet that we all want. On the other hand, technology is, to some extent, overtaking them in practice. The same is happening with the legal frameworks. The evolution of digital networks is currently corroding old ideas with new features. New digital networks aim to be faster and resilient. This is why AI is being incorporated into their design.

After all, for there to be near-real time communication, it is necessary to discriminate applications according to their functionality. No one would consider it reasonable for autonomous cars to have high latency and, therefore, generate accidents. The same goes for online surgeries and surgeries with robotic assistants. This leads to the management and slicing of Internet traffic through AI technologies – and implies that digital networks make exclusively automated decisions on a permanent basis. This text draws attention to the implications of this association between digital networks and AI technologies on the fundamental rights recognised by EU law.

Continue reading “Editorial of May 2026” →