Technology, Employment and Wellbeing

The articles in this issue may appear quite different at first glance. What connects them, however, is a shared question about power and the design of the rules that shape our economies and societies: who sets them, who benefits from them, and who must adapt? This struggle is not confined to a single policy or sector. It unfolds across parliaments, corporate boardrooms, technological labs, and public conferences within the EU bubble in Brussels.

The first article Claudia Detsch examines the ongoing backlash against what is often labelled as “woke” policies. Framing initiatives such as equal opportunities and skills development as mere “woke” distractions risks undermining Europe’s long-term competitiveness. It is also harmful for women, as such rhetoric often targets policies that support gender equality and women’s participation in the labour market, while short-term political reactions cannot replace a coherent economic strategy and may ultimately harm society as a whole.

The second article by Victoire Olczak addresses the European Parliament’s rule requiring Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to vote in person during plenary sessions, preventing those on maternity leave from taking part in votes. This situation highlights once again how institutional rules were created without fully considering that MEPs may become pregnant, have children, and take on caregiving responsibilities.

In the third article, Eva Gengler recommends that the current debated on AI governance should focus on how responsibility is owned and exercised. AI systems have the potential to empower and transform societies. However, given the current integration of generative AI systems that often reproduce existing inequalities, we are now at a critical moment to make the right choice—whether to follow the path of oppressive AI or to switch towards empowerment by ensuring they are developed and used in ways that promote fairness and accountability.

The final article by Emőke Péter argues that true democracy and effective policymaking require women to be present not just symbolically, but in positions of influence, yet women remain underrepresented both in leadership positions and as “visible” experts in public and professional forums. Yet, meaningful change is possible if we move beyond token representation, value expertise, foster inclusive cultures, and provide support for women to shape critical decisions—essential for a more equal, resilient, and competitive society.