On November 19, 2024, Make.org, in collaboration with ifok, hosted a landmark closed-door roundtable discussion on AI and Democracy “AI Systems serving Democracy and the Common Good" at the FARI AI for the Common Good Institute in Brussels. We brought together an esteemed group of 20 high-level experts from research, civil society, and public institutions, all dedicated to exploring the intersection of democratic processes and artificial intelligence.
The discussion at this roundtable centred on the critical question of how AI systems can be designed to serve the public good and strengthen democratic processes. Experts explored how to make AI safe for democracy, social, sustainable, unbiased, inclusive, and participatory, with an emphasis on ensuring these technologies promote fairness and transparency in governance. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, it is essential to tackle both the opportunities and risks AI presents, such as bias, inequality, and the potential for misuse.
The first part of the roundtable focused on designing AI systems fitting for democracy. Make.org presented the Democratic Commons initiative, a global research program dedicated to leveraging AI to support democracy. In partnership with Sciences Po, Sorbonne University, and CNRS, this initiative aims to use generative AI to enhance citizen participation, placing ethics at the heart of AI development. This multidisciplinary pioneering project brings together over 50 experts in data science and social sciences to create AI applications that aim to transform how citizens interact with democratic processes. The programme’s innovations will foster more informed, inclusive and impactful participation. The initiative has garnered endorsements from leading experts in AI ethics, including Hugging Face, Mozilla.ai, the Aspen Institute, Project Liberty Institute, and Genci.
A major theme discussed was the ethical principles of AI and their application in democratic contexts. Participants reflected on the challenges of balancing competing ethical values, such as transparency, inclusivity, and fairness, and the difficulty in prioritising some over others. The need for AI training to address biases was emphasised, particularly as many AI systems are built with implicit biases reflecting the values of their creators, often shaped under the Silicon Valley tech industry influence. While completely eliminating biases is unlikely, experts agreed that the goal should be to push initiatives to mitigate them, ensuring AI systems support more equitable outcomes and doesn't reinforce existing inequalities.
Participants also expressed concerns about the potential loss of the full participatory experience in democratic processes, such as voting or public decision-making, when interacting with technology, especially outside the collective, community-driven spaces where democratic participation is typically exercised.
The roundtable also highlighted the role of the private sector in shaping AI for democracy. While private companies are instrumental in the development of AI tools, the event stressed the need for civil society to play a central role in ensuring that these technologies align with democratic values. Transparency was identified as a crucial factor, with discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure that AI serves the public good and upholds democratic principles. The role of "frontline bureaucrats" and the need for public sector investments in civil society initiatives were also discussed as essential factors to support sustainable AI development.
In the second part of the event, ifok presented the Civic Coding initiative that ifok is implementing on behalf of the German government.Civic Coding aims to promote the development and use of AI for the common good. Launched under Germany's AI strategy in 2020, this initiative seeks to empower actors from civil society, research, politics, administration, and business to develop AI solutions that are socially responsible, sustainable, and participatory. Civic Coding focuses on fostering a connected ecosystem that brings together AI developers, civil society organisations, and public institutions to create AI tools that support societal welfare, the environment and strengthen democratic engagement.
The roundtable also explored the challenges surrounding AI regulation and procurement. While discussions around regulation are important, participants stressed that a principle-based approach is essential to balance innovation with the protection of democratic values. The role of procurement in AI development was seen as a key tool in shaping the impact of these technologies. It was acknowledged that public sector investments are needed to counterbalance the private sector’s dominance, ensuring that AI systems serve the public good and are aligned with democratic principles. Participants also discussed how procurement processes must be more user-centric, addressing risks and ensuring AI tools deliver tangible benefits for democratic engagement.
As the conversation progressed, several fundamental questions were raised about whether AI should complement or substitute traditional democratic processes, with a general consensus emerging that AI should be used to enhance, not replace, human judgement.
The roundtable underscored the need for continued investment in AI technologies that promote democratic values and ensure transparency, urging both public and private sectors to prioritise the development of AI systems that serve the public good.
The roundtable event was held as part of the 2024 FARI conference on “AI, a Public Good?”, a platform focusing on exploring AI’s role in advancing the common good and democracy.
Following this discussion, Make.org and ifok will host a second roundtable in December 2024, continuing the conversation on the intersection between AI and Democracy, this time focusing on citizen participation and how AI tools can be effectively implemented in democratic processes. We look forward to sharing further insights and recommendations from these important dialogues and remain committed to advancing AI’s role in strengthening democratic engagement and empowering citizens.