Digital humanism: the constitutional message of the GDPR

This article aims to analyse the constitutional message of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the age of artificial intelligence. Although the GDPR does not formally have any constitutional character, it can be said to play a para-constitutional role from a functional point of view: it translates and implements core constitutional principles in the context of the algorithmic society. This article traces the legislative origin of the GDPR’s framework on automated decision-making showing that it aims to enhance a series of key constitutional values, preserving human autonomy, increasing legal certainty, and providing procedural safeguards. The article finally highlights how the GDPR is promoting a constitutional message deeply rooted in a new form of ‘digital humanism’: a conception of the digital society where the human being and her dignity should resolutely outrank machines, technology and, ultimately, economic efficiency.