Join Us for Rebooting Democracy in the Age of AI Lecture Series

The Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University, in partnership with The GovLab, invites you to join us as we delve into the realm of democracy in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Our upcoming lecture series, "Rebooting Democracy in the Age of AI," brings together visionary designers, thought leaders, and changemakers from around the world to explore how AI technologies can redefine the way we participate in and shape our democratic systems.

Through a series of online and in-person talks, we will explore how machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, can enable more participatory and inclusive ways of solving problems and strengthen our ability to collaborate in governing ourselves. 

The lecture series is a part of the broader program on "Rebooting Democracy in the Age of AI," building upon a past lecture series in partnership with the Institute for Public Knowledge at NYU entitled “The Future of Democracy.” Here's a glimpse of the new thought-provoking discussions beginning September 2023:

The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives (September 21, 2023)

• Join Brook Manville and Josiah Ober, authors of The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives," as they discuss how democracy can thrive in the digital age. Use code "CIVIC30" for a 30% discount on the book.

Algorithms for Engagement (October 26, 2023)

• Dive into the world of algorithms and engagement with Róbert Bjarnason (Citizens Foundation), Colin Megill (Polis), and Ariel Procaccia (Harvard University), who will explore how AI can enhance civic participation.

AI and the Future of Youth Democracy (November 9, 2023)

• An interactive discussion led by youth, for youth, promising fresh perspectives on the future of democracy.

AI and the Future of Organizations (November 16, 2023)

• Join Sir Geoff Mulgan (University College London), a professor of collective intelligence, in a discussion that bridges the virtual and on-campus worlds of Northeastern University.

From Cyberdemocracy to AI Democracy (January 18, 2024)

• Explore the history of the internet and its impact on our AI-driven future with John Battelle interviewing Vint Cerf of Google.

AI and the Media (January 25, 2024)

• Co-hosted by the Northeastern School of Journalism, this event features Jill Abramson (the Burnes Center), and Ethan Zuckerman, (University of Massachusetts Amherst), discussing AI's influence on the media landscape.

AI and Democracy's First Principles (February 15, 2024)

• Sir Anthony Grayling delves into the foundational principles of democracy in the digital age.

AI and the Future of Workplace Democracy (March 21, 2024)

• Orly Lobel, author of The Equality Machine: Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter More Inclusive Future, and Seth Harris (the Burnes Center) discuss how digital technology can create a more inclusive future in the workplace.

AI for Participatory Planning (April 11, 2024)

• Co-hosted by the Northeastern School of Architecture, this event explores urban planning and AI's role in shaping our cities with Damiano Cerrone and Liza Gazeeva (UrbanistAI), H. Killion Mokwete (Northeastern), and Amanda Reeser Lawrence (Northeastern)

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Lawmaking (May 16, 2024)

• Marci Harris, CEO, and co-founder of POPVOX, shares insights into AI's impact on civic engagement and governing.

As we navigate the complex relationship between AI and democracy, our expert guests in the "Rebooting Democracy in the Age of AI" conversations will illuminate new pathways towards a more participatory, inclusive, and collaborative future for governance. We hope you will join us in this exciting journey. To view the complete schedule and register for upcoming events, visit our event page. Stay updated on all our latest developments by subscribing to our newsletter here.