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The metaverse is a controversial concept, hyped by some but viewed as a marketing strategy by others. Although the first mentioning of the metaverse dates back to 1992, it has gained attention in the last years, especially after Facebook changed its name to “Meta” in 2021. Based on immersive technologies such as AR and VR, digital interactions and commerce within the virtual world, the metaverse is expected to grow along with its enabling technologies. This article aims to discover the status of the adoption of the metaverse concepts in Romania, among people with digital skills. The analysis was performed based on an online questionnaire, posted on public social media accounts. The results of the study have shown that few people have tried applications within the metaverse, and even fewer have invested in metaverse tokens. People who played RPG or virtual world games seem to have used metaverse applications more than those who have not, thus, this could be a good driver for metaverse adoption. Awareness of the metaverse concept was not a driver of metaverse adoption. However, results show that people who purchase cryptocurrencies and NFTs would also be interested in the metaverse, more than people who have not transacted these digital assets.

In 2024, almost half of the world’s population participated in electoral processes or is due to vote. The United States of America (USA), the European Union (EU), or India are among the democratic entities which organize elections in 2024. Citizens from autocracies like the Russian Federation are also summoned to express their options at the polls, although in their cases the proceedings are obviously flawed. Disinformation can manipulate outcomes both in liberal democracies and in hybrid regimes. In this context, our endeavor tries to analyze the impact of deep fakes on elections, in particular, and on political phenomena in general. A new remarkable tool, created with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is weaponized by various politicians. Thus, an already worrying process of democratic backsliding seems to be accelerating. Both populist and non-populist politicians are using deep fakes in order to create unfair competitive advantages. Through several case studies, we describe and explain the influence of deep fakes on political developments. We highlight that populist groups can benefit from the political instrumentalization of deep fakes. Nevertheless, AI’s dark side offers opportunities for politicians that are outside of the populist sphere too. Overall, the phenomenon described by Colin Crouch as post-democracy seems to be enhanced by the evolutions we describe. Reversing this trend would require both regulations from the authorities and a reconstruction of the public’s trust in political mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had to face a series of movements, with separatist tendencies, in the West of the country, on the territory of the Transcarpathia district. These movements came from the dominant minorities in the area, who claimed the return to a certain historical status from the period before the territorial annexation of the region by the Soviet Union in 1945, or for the respect of certain rights and freedoms. The 90s were loaded with events through which national minorities reaffirmed their position within the new democratic state. Therefore, this article deals with the issue of movements with separatist tendencies undertaken by the Ruthenian and Hungarian minorities to declare the autonomy of some territories within the democratic Ukraine. Movements that were guaranteed by some political actors, movements that in the end did not have any concrete success, the actions of the Ruthenian and Hungarian leaders being more for the official recognition or strengthening of the positions of these minorities in Transcarpathia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the use of European Union money to promote digitization in Romania, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. It describes the current digital landscape, identifies significant areas for development, and assesses the impact of EU funding on improving digital infrastructure and literacy. The study evaluates Romania's development in relation to other EU member states and makes recommendations for making the best use of available money to bridge the digital divide and promote economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All the important aspects of modern-day society, including global politics, are influenced by AI-generated deep fakes, which nowadays are easier than ever to produce. Present-day politics is also characterized by the rise of illiberalism. The limitations of democratic practices, which occur at a global level, are well documented. However, there is a lack of research meant to classify types of deepfakes and the dangers they pose to democratic practices, such as elections. The goal of this paper is to create a framework in order to describe AI-generated deepfake use, especially in politics. In the long run, the purpose of this framework would be to help future research papers better describe cases in which deepfakes are being used in politics and their effects, especially how these practices are being employed by populist politicians in order to enhance their electoral message. This descriptive paper is based on the qualitative approach of document research, presenting several deepfake categories that can be used in future research in order to create a clear image of the way in which AI-generated deepfakes impact politics. The paper has generated interesting results. There are a multitude of types of deepfakes that originate from various sources. The only difference is the complexity of the technology being used. Another relevant discovery is that deepfakes can be used for multiple purposes, not only to undermine political opponents. Moreover, deepfakes could be used anytime, not just on the brink of elections. This paper is relevant for the study of the dangers deepfakes carry in both national and international politics. It represents a step forward in the research on the implications carried by the use of deepfakes in politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an extensive analysis of Internet security experiences and perceptions among European Union (EU) citizens, as detailed by data within commented graphics highlighting awareness of online privacy practices, security-related aspects and data tracking methods. The paper also examines the implications of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding businesses operating within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). Via a thorough investigation of Internet users' awareness of cookies as tracking tools and the prevalence of security-related incidents, the paper provides insights into the evolving landscape of online privacy and security. It elucidates the challenges and opportunities presented by GDPR compliance for businesses, compliance requirements, spanning core principles and broader implications of data processing practices. The findings mark the imperative to align businesses' operations with GDPR provisions, addressing key aspects such as consent mechanisms, lawful bases and the importance of robust data security measures. The conclusion reveals the significance derived from the intersection of internet security perceptions, GDPR compliance, and business operations within the EU and EEA. Synthesizing empirical data with regulatory analysis, the paper provides a valuable understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the evolving regulatory landscape, thereby equipping businesses with actionable strategies in order to safeguard data privacy rights and uphold regulatory compliance in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the fourth and fifth waves of the industrial revolution are shaping the global political, economic, and social landscape. The development of robotics, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality (VR), doubled by the emerging importance of renewable energy sources, is redefining the relationship between the state and the citizen. In this context, the frequency of arguments that plead for an adaptation of the liberal democratic model to the digital environment is increasing. However, the latest developments in this field are also facilitating the spreading of populist and radical messages. Digital innovation is therefore, in many countries, contemporaneous with a process of democratic backsliding. Our paper represents a preliminary attempt to estimate the potential impact of digitalizing the political and social spheres on the stability of liberal democratic regimes. Answers to the questions put forward are provided by analyzing the digital evolution of politics and society in Estonia. We highlight data linked not only to topics such as online voting, participatory budgeting, or digital skills but also data regarding political participation and democratic resilience. Our conclusions suggest that, although building a genuine digital democracy can have positive effects on the level of political and civic involvement of citizens, in order to annihilate the danger of illiberalism, an improvement in the levels of trust in public institutions is also needed. Trust is a vital factor for blocking disinformation and ensuring that digital tools are not hijacked by populist groups with authoritarian tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the digital sector is seen as essential for the future of the European Union not only by the European authorities but also by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national political parties, representatives of the business sector, social activists, or regular citizens. This approach is reflected, among others, in several details of the NextGeneration EU recovery instrument meant to create economic and social stability in the member states after the coronavirus pandemic, which represented one of the grimmest phases in the recent history of the continent. The funds directed towards enhancing the process of digitalization should reduce the development gap that exists at a regional level in the EU. But how profound is this gap, and what are the factors that generate and perpetuate it? The present study shapes answers to these questions by focusing on four regions that include all 27 member countries in the EU: Western Europe, Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe. The analyzed period is mainly 2018-2022, covering the last two years before the COVID-19 outbreak, the pandemic, and its aftermath. We take into account elements like internet accessibility, the share of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), other economic particularities, the development of e-commerce, or the level of digital literacy. Our conclusions suggest that the importance of historical factors is at times diluted by strategic decisions implemented by governments. The evolution of the ICT sector is seen in numerous countries as a key element in establishing much-needed political, economic, and social resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability provides another framework of understating the duality between urban and rural development. While the rural space has been generally perceived as a passive and slow adaptor of urban quality of life, rural development has its own logic, pace and strategy. Urban areas are characterized by disruptions, focal points of development, innovation, dynamism and lack of animals. These values try to make the best for sustainability which is perceived as a next step for the civilized world. Despite this rather logical perspective, the argument of this article is that rural areas are natural starting points for sustainability due to prudent actions, a conservative model of governance, social care (non-alienation), protection of bio-diversity, etc. The structure of the argument is to present what mainstream sustainability is, map out sustainability actions and solutions as far as now, and present from a conceptual point of view what sustainability could be from a foundational economy and regulatory perspectives. Our conclusion reads that rurbanisation in sustainability has its backsides, while a new paradigm of rural futurism should be followed for future developments in the area of sustainability for a new paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study aims to analyze the market potential of heat pumps and thermal energy storage in Romania. It was done at the level of a medium-sized city, the Tulcea Municipality. It was carried out on the basis of interviews with the main stakeholders of the city, such as the deputy mayor, the employees of the urban planning department, the director and the employees of Energoterm, the heating company. Documents were analyzed regarding the thermal energy and electricity consumption of the main public buildings, their existing energy certificates and their RLVs were also studied together with field visits. The study presents the structure of thermal energy consumption of public buildings in the municipality, analyze the possibilities of reducing heating and cooling costs and greenhouse gas emissions of public buildings and proposes some technical solutions based on integrated systems with customized heat pumps for each analyzed public building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study aims to analyse the market potential of heat pumps and thermal energy storage in Romania at the level of a small commune, Crucea from Constanța. It was carried out on the basis of interviews with the main decision-makers of the commune. During the study, documents regarding the thermal energy and electricity consumption of the main public buildings in Crucea have been analysed and field visits have also taken place. Documents such as the existing energy certificates of the buildings and their RLVs were also studied. It presents the structure of the thermal energy consumption of public buildings and analyses the data on the consumption and costs of thermal energy in order to reduce electricity consumption and the carbon footprint. The study proposes technical solutions based on integrated systems with heat pumps and thermal energy storage, customized for each public building analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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