Building common ground for the common good.

Dear Subscriber First Name,

We've all experienced challenging conversations—whether about a romantic relationship or differing political beliefs. These conversations often feel uncomfortable because they touch on emotionally charged, high-stakes topics and make us feel vulnerable. While discussions are often avoided, when approached with empathy and curiosity, they can be transformative, leading to deeper understanding and personal growth.

In honor of the power of open dialogue, we celebrate the National Week of Conversation (April 21–27). This nonpartisan campaign is supported by over 500 organizations that are part of the #ListenFirst Coalition. It is a week dedicated to bridging political, social, and cultural divides in America through open conversations rooted in active listening and mutual understanding—whether in person or online. We are inspired by the collective effort to foster meaningful dialogue and encourage you to explore the website, including its videos, films, and podcasts.

Building on this theme of conversation, this newsletter highlights the concept of conflict tolerance in navigating difficult discussions. We also explore the importance of creating safe spaces for conversation on digital platforms and share a recent event at the University of Michigan about technology within our information environment.  

These are some of the ideas that motivate us!  As always, we are open to questions and ideas on how to apply digital technology to support community mobilization and deliberation. Write to us at info@commongoodai.org.

All the best,

Victoria Stanski, Managing Director

With Founders, John Seely Brown, John Clippinger, John Cordier, Tom Kehler, and Kim Polese

Video: What is Conflict Tolerance?

In the heat of difficult conversations, the concept of conflict tolerance can be invaluable. In a short video, Bob Bordone, Founder and former Director of Harvard Law School’s Negotiation Mediation Clinical Program, explores how we can measure our ability to remain present during disagreement—without losing our cool or avoiding the topic. Whether online or in person, how we perceive and respond to conflict plays a critical role in shaping how we engage with others.

Article: Healthy Conversations in Local Digital Infrastructure

Many of our conversations have shifted to digital spaces. In the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Deepti Dosh, Co-Director of New_Public—a nonprofit R&D lab focused on creating healthy, prosocial digital environments—discusses the importance of building safe and inclusive spaces for dialogue. She offers several recommendations on how we can design and scale digital spaces that nurture public life, emphasizing the need to invest in people and systems for success.

Recent Event: The State of our Information Environment

Conversations are shaped by the information available to us—and the tools we use to engage in those conversations play a critical role. On April 2, Tom Kehler, one of Common Good AI’s Founders, presented at a democracy event series at the University of Michigan, where he presented on technologies that help the public better understand differing perspectives and find common ground. He showcased a CrowdSmart demo alongside other experts who explored key questions: What technologies are less toxic than social media? What tools can help people solve problems together? And, perhaps most importantly, who controls the narrative in public discourse?