Building common ground for the common good.

Dear Subscriber First Name,

Around the world, a new vision is taking hold—one that harnesses technology not to divide us, but to deepen democracy, foster social cohesion, and enable collective problem-solving. We see greater momentum building behind creating and using technology centered on public participation, equity, and trust.

In this issue, we highlight three signs of that future already taking shape: a recent essay showcasing AI-powered deliberative initiatives aimed at making policymaking more inclusive and responsive; a Global Expo on Technology and Social Cohesion, where experts shared emerging tools and best practices for prosocial tech design; and an international forum at the 27th Symi Symposium in Greece, where global leaders—including one of Common Good AI’s founder—convened to explore how technology can advance equity, democracy, and societal resilience. Together, these efforts signal a growing shift toward digital tools that elevate public voice and foster civic trust.

At Common Good AI, we’re proud to be part of this emerging ecosystem—working alongside visionary partners to ensure digital innovation reinforces, rather than erodes, the foundations of democratic life. 

Enjoy the July 2025 newsletter! We’ll be taking a short break in August and will return with our next monthly update in September. You can always reach 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

Essay: How AI Can Unlock Public Wisdom and Revitalize Democratic Governance

In February 2025, the State of California launched a groundbreaking deliberative democracy program that harnesses AI to strengthen civic participation and policymaking. As part of its Engaged California initiative, the state used AI to analyze resident feedback following devastating wildfires in Los Angeles—demonstrating how these tools can elevate public wisdom and foster shared understanding when used transparently, ethically, and alongside skilled human facilitators.

In a recent essay from the Carnegie’s California Program, Rahmin Sarabi, Founder and Director, The American Public Trust highlights this case and others that leverage large language models (LLMs) to help governments synthesize input at scale, listen more effectively to their communities, and make decisions that are more inclusive, responsive, and grounded in public values.

Event: Global EXPO on Tech and Social Cohesion

Common Good AI was thrilled to participate in the Global EXPO Americas/Europe/MENA event last month co-hosted by the Council on Technology and Social Cohesion, Alliance for Peacebuilding, and Dignity in Difference. The half-day event highlighted cutting-edge initiatives that harness technology to strengthen social cohesion, rather than fuel division or violence. From global policy insights and AI governance reflections to demos of deliberative tools and prosocial tech applications, the EXPO showcased diverse approaches to more inclusive and peace-oriented digital design.

During the Deliberative Technology session, Common Good AI shared its approach to community engagement and digital tool deployment, including a live demonstration of the CrowdSmart platform.

 Event: 27th Symi Symposium discussions on scaling deliberation using pro-social tech

The 27th Symi Symposium was held from July 13–17, 2025, on the island of Skiathos, Greece, under the theme “Pandora’s Paradox: Discovering Hope in a Turbulent World.” Common Good AI’s founder, Kim Polese, joined global thought leaders, activists, and changemakers to explore how to cultivate peace, democracy, and resilient societies amid escalating global crises. Kim spoke on the panel “Harnessing Technology for Equity: Empowering a Participative and Just Society in the AI Era” alongside representatives from Meta, The Millennium Project, Remesh, UN Futures Lab, and other influential institutions.

Founded by former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, the Symposium has long served as a unique platform for transformative ideas and cross-sector collaboration. This year’s convening focused on reimagining governance, confronting rising authoritarianism, and advancing climate solidarity. A central theme throughout the week was citizen-powered democratic engagement, with leaders from the Citizens’ Assembly and deliberative democracy movements sharing strategies for global scaling, including the use of digital tools.

Read more about Prime Minister Papandreou’s vision for a citizen-led fourth branch of government in his New York Times Op-ed.