AI and Democracy
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the contours of our shared democratic and social life. But ensuring that AI serves everyone—not just a powerful few—will be a major challenge for policymakers and governments around the world.
The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy works to bring leading research and new experiments in democratic practice to policy, and above all, to embed the public interest into key policy decisions.
Deliberative Approaches to Inclusive Governance:
An Essay Series Part of the Democratic Legitimacy for AI Initiative
Democracy has undergone profound changes over the past decade, shaped by rapid technological, social, and political transformations. Across the globe, citizens are demanding more meaningful and sustained engagement in governance—especially around emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), which increasingly shape the contours of public life.
From world-leading experts in deliberative democracy, civic technology, and AI governance we introduce a seven-part essay series exploring how deliberative democratic processes like citizen’s assemblies and civic tech can strengthen AI governance.
The essays follow from a workshop on “Democratic Legitimacy for AI: Deliberative Approaches to Inclusive Governance” held in Vancouver in March 2025, in partnership with Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. The series and workshop were generously supported by funding from the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Mila, and Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.
For media inquiries about the series, please contact Isabelle Corriveau, Senior Manager, Public Outreach and Communications, Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, isabelle.corriveau2@mcgill.ca