“Alloyed Networks” Against Corruption: Between Community Engagement and ICTs

The paper examines how information and communication technologies (ICTs) and artificial intelligence (AI) influence the creation of “alloyed networks”—social systems that combine face-to-face and digital interactions—in civic monitoring initiatives. It explores how these hybrid interactions foster (or hinder) civic engagement, particularly in anti-corruption efforts. The central research questions include the following: (i) How do ICTs and AI affect the dynamics of groups involved in civic monitoring and generate these alloyed networks? (ii) What factors—such as structural network features, group characteristics, and technical skills—explain the activation and continuity of involvement in civic monitoring? A qualitative methodological approach is adopted, combining thematic and content analysis of multiple data sources, including media reports, 10 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, and official documents. Six Italian case studies are analyzed to examine how face-to-face and digital tools interact to foster alloyed networks and strengthen social capital. The article maps civic monitoring initiatives, exploring how these groups aim to hold public institutions accountable through a mix of technological and face-to-face engagement. Key themes include the structural and technological prerequisites for sustaining these initiatives and the role of social capital in enabling collective action. The findings reveal that while ICT and AI facilitate engagement, face-to-face interactions remain crucial for maintaining cohesive and active civic monitoring networks. This interplay enhances social capital and supports the long-term effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts.