Navigating the Crossroads between technology and democracy: Insights from Studies on Deliberative Democracy, Technology, and Civic Engagement

Abstract

Paper #1 challenges the notion of AI as a superior form of intelligence. This research compares AI's capabilities to human deliberation within the realm of complex political decision-making. Focusing on the regulation of human genome editing as a case study, the authors employ the Deliberative Reason Index to demonstrate the limitations of AI in replicating human reasoning processes. By highlighting the importance of shared understanding, inferential frameworks, and integrative capacities in human deliberation, the paper underscores the irreplaceable role of human judgment in complex policy decisions. Paper #2 explores the potential of generative AI to revolutionize democratic participation. By examining the interplay between AI and citizens' engagement with legislative and administrative bodies, the authors investigate how these technologies can enhance participatory democracy. Key questions addressed include the future trajectories of European democracy, the potential of AI to boost citizen involvement, existing AI tools for citizen participation, and strategies for stakeholders to maintain agency in AI-driven democratic systems. Paper #3 sheds light on deliberative mini-publics as schools of democracy in countries where representative democracy is weak or underdeveloped. Focusing on citizens' assemblies in Rustavi and Ozurgeti in Georgia, the study draws on interviews with assembly organizers, participants, and local authorities. The research explores the impact of these assemblies on civic engagement, local governance, and trust-building in a context where democracy is yet to fully take root. The findings underscore the positive impact of these assemblies in socializing participants and fostering longer-term civic initiatives, contributing significantly to the literature on deliberative democracy in fragile democracies. Together, these papers offer a comprehensive and diverse perspective on the multifaceted intersections of deliberation, technology, and democracy, presenting valuable implications for research, policy, and practice in the field.

Title	Details
Triage Against the Machine: Can AI reason deliberatively	View Paper Details
Building Trust through Deliberation in Fragile Democracies: A Case Study of Citizens' Assemblies in Georgia	View Paper Details
Understanding Participation in Deliberative Polling: Insights from the Meta Community Forum on AI Chatbots	View Paper Details