{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T20:24:41Z","timestamp":1777580681292,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"18","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,12]],"date-time":"2024-09-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1726099200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia, I.P. (Portugal)","award":["ADVANCE-CSG UIDB\/04521\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ADVANCE-CSG UIDB\/04521\/2020"]}]},{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia, I.P. (Portugal)","award":["UIDB\/04152\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/04152\/2020"]}]},{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia, I.P. (Portugal)","award":["UI\/BD\/153587\/2022"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UI\/BD\/153587\/2022"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Applied Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The democratization of artificial intelligence (AI) involves extending access to AI technologies beyond specialized technical experts to a broader spectrum of users and organizations. This paper provides an overview of AI\u2019s historical context and evolution, emphasizing the concept of AI democratization. Current trends shaping AI democratization are analyzed, highlighting key challenges and opportunities. The roles of pivotal stakeholders, including technology firms, educational entities, and governmental bodies, are examined in facilitating widespread AI adoption. A comprehensive framework elucidates the components, drivers, challenges, and strategies crucial to AI democratization. This framework is subsequently applied in the context of scenario analyses, offering insights into potential outcomes and implications. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research directions and strategic actions to foster responsible and inclusive AI development globally.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/app14188236","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,12]],"date-time":"2024-09-12T10:15:27Z","timestamp":1726136127000},"page":"8236","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":33,"title":["The Democratization of Artificial Intelligence: Theoretical Framework"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1037-0561","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carlos J.","family":"Costa","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Advance\/ISEG (Lisbon School of Economics & Management), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4261-0344","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Manuela","family":"Aparicio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1070-312 Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Sofia","family":"Aparicio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8047-7452","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Joao Tiago","family":"Aparicio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Johnson, K. 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