Newsletter June 2025: Democratic Futurism and AI

Dear Friends,

What kind of democratic future do we want to build with AI—and how do we move toward it? In a moment when technology often feels imposed rather than inviting, reclaiming our role as co-creators of the future is both urgent and needed. Futurism, in this sense, isn’t about prediction—it’s about intention. What if AI were designed not to dominate our choices or optimize for profit, but to strengthen democratic values: equity, accountability, participation, and care?

At Common Good AI, we believe that shaping the future starts with expanding who gets to imagine it—and how. We need civic spaces where people can think long-term, deliberate across differences, and build new infrastructures with trust. 

In this issue, we highlight three visions of that future already taking shape: a panel on generative collective intelligence as a model for human–AI collaboration; a storytelling video that reimagines daily civic life with the help of AI; and a blueprint for prosocial tech governance grounded in inclusion and mutual responsibility. Together, these pieces move us from critique to creation—laying the groundwork for democratic technologies that serve the common good.

We are exploring how digital tools support collective problem-solving. If you’re thinking about how to apply these tools, we’d be glad to connect. You can 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