Democratic AI Series #1 - Exploring Deliberative Democracy with the Habermas Machine
Artificial intelligence is increasingly playing an important part in our sociopolitical life. Some worry about the erosion of democracy as AI propagates disinformation and entraps citizens in epistemic bubbles; others are convinced of AI’s ability to facilitate direct democracy and make public deliberation more efficient.
This is the first event in a series on democratic AI that sets out to explore how AI tools can be leveraged for democratic deliberations, collective decision-making, and enhanced social cohesion.
Join us to explore the Habermas Machine, created by Google DeepMind, in a hands-on workshop held at Newspeak House.
The event will kick off with a short talk introducing the Habermas Machine and its role in fostering meaningful group deliberation. Participants will then split into small groups to discuss pressing political and social questions, guided by a structured process facilitated by a version of the Habermas Machine itself.
Michiel Bakker and MH Tessler, the creators of the Habermas Machine, will oversee the process and facilitate the synthesis of insights from each group. Discussions will incorporate factual briefings, freeform debates, and collaborative drafting of group statements, culminating in a final vote to reveal consensus and divergence.
Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in democracy, enjoy collaborative discussion, or simply want to meet others passionate about democratic AI, this event offers a unique opportunity to get involved.
Spaces are limited—sign up now to reserve your spot!
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About the event organisers
Simon Wisdom and Yung-Hsuan Wu are both 2024-25 fellow candidates of the Newspeak House. Learn more about their work from the Newspeak House fellowship cohort website.
About Newspeak House
Newspeak House is an independent residential college founded in 2015 to study, nurture and inspire emerging communities of practice across civil society and the public sector in the UK. To learn more, visit the official website.