Building common ground for the common good.

Dear Subscriber First Name,

Across sectors and disciplines, there is growing recognition that technology and AI must be shaped by human-centered values—emphasizing empathy, collaboration, and adaptability. In this newsletter, we explore how human-centered design plays a practical role in how we build and use emerging digital tools. 

At Common Good AI, we are dedicated to using technology not as a replacement for human insight, but as a facilitator for deeper understanding and engagement. The future of technology is not just about better algorithms, but about designing systems that empower people to think together, bridge divides, and shape solutions from the ground up.

In this edition, you'll find an article written by Common Good AI founders and other thought leaders calling for a new AI framework that enables human-AI collaboration, called generative collective intelligence. Also, we share a case study using CrowdSmart, a podcast on adaptive learning, and a call for college students to help us learn with new digital tools. Plus, don’t miss a powerful essay series from global leaders on how to embed democracy and public voice into AI governance.

Let us know if you have opportunities to apply new digital tools in your organization. We are ready to design human-centered approaches to collectively solve problems and find breakthrough solutions. 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

New article: Amplifying human creativity and problem solving with AI through generative collective intelligence

AI thought leaders, including Thomas Kehler, Scott E. Page, Alex Pentland, Martin Reeves, and John Seely Brown share a new framework called Generative Collective Intelligence (GCI). It reimagines AI as a collaborative, social technology that bridges human reasoning with machine capabilities. By combining group decision-making with AI’s ability to structure knowledge, GCI helps teams tackle complex problems—from climate change to civic engagement—in ways neither humans nor algorithms could achieve alone.

Case study: Collective problem solving to evolve business processes

We share a case study using CrowdSmart technology that demonstrates how AI can enhance—not replace—human insight by surfacing shared perspectives within a nonprofit team, shifting their mindset from individual frustration to collective problem solving. The case study outlines our approach and results. One staff member commented, “It was a win for the team to get outside their own perspective and see what other staff members said. It became less of a me against a process and more collective problem solving in a way that was a huge shift for our culture.”

Podcast: Becoming fluent in AI through play

The Future Fluent podcast, hosted by Betsy Corcoran and Dr. Jeremy Roschelle, recently interviewed John Seely Brown, one of Common Good AI’s founders. In this episode, they explore how learning, much like playing jazz with a band, requires deep listening, improvisation, and attunement to context. Rather than imposing rigid systems, this metaphor reinforces the idea that successful use of AI depends on human judgment, curiosity, and our capacity to make meaning together.

Seeking applications: Student Summer Ambassador Program

We are launching a summer program to explore new digital tools. It is a 10-week volunteer opportunity for US-based college students and recent graduates. The Student Summer Ambassador Program is not just about testing technology, but engaging politically diverse young people in exploring how collective reasoning AI can help address societal challenges. No previous tech experience required, just enthusiasm to share ideas. Please forward this application link with anyone who might be interested.  Deadline is Friday 30 May. 

Essay series: Deliberative approaches to inclusive governance

A new essay series, published by McGill University’s Center for Media, Technology, and Democracy, explores how deliberative democratic processes—such as citizens' assemblies and civic technologies—can enhance the legitimacy and inclusivity of AI governance. Authored by leading experts like Lawrence Lessig, Deb Roy, and Audrey Tang, the series examines real-world case studies and innovative frameworks that integrate public deliberation into technology policymaking. Emerging from a 2025 workshop hosted by Simon Fraser University and supported by Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and Mila, the series underscores the urgent need to embed diverse voices into decisions shaping our digital future.