Right to data protection is a cornerstone of individual freedom and a key element in upholding the democratic values of the European Union. Introduction the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by EU marked a significant milestone in this area, establishing a robust legal framework to protect personal data in the digital age. However, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies presents new challenges and risks that may threaten fundamental rights and democratic principles. With the enactment of the AI Act in 2024, the European Union introduced a complementary legal framework aimed at fostering innovation while safeguarding human dignity, individual autonomy, and democratic integrity. This research explores the intersection between AI legislation and data protection law, emphasizing the need for integrated control mechanisms and legal safeguards, particularly within the educational system, including higher education institutions. The study critically examines the ethical implications of AI deployment, focusing on the individual's right to contest automated decisions and to request human oversight—principles essential for maintaining agency in increasingly automated environments. It argues that true democratic development depends on ensuring that technology serves the individual, not the other way around. In the context of universities, where the use of AI is expanding—from administrative processes to educational tools—there is a legislative obligation to implement AI systems responsibly, guided by both data protection principles and ethical norms established by AI Act. The paper seeks to answer the pressing question: Are fundamental rights and democratic values truly safeguarded in the age of artificial intelligence, particularly within the educational sphere? In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping societal structures—including the educational system—it is imperative that legal and ethical safeguards evolve in parallel. The convergence of the GDPR and the AI Act forms a necessary foundation, but their effective implementation within universities demands a proactive commitment to protecting individual rights, ensuring transparency, and fostering democratic resilience.