mySociety was founded on one seismic technological change: the arrival of the internet, bringing radical new possibilities to the ways in which we engage with democracy.
Now we’re seeing a second upheaval, just as potentially explosive: the wide adoption of generative AI and machine learning tools — particular kinds of Artificial Intelligence — not least by the UK government, who have made a commitment to see AI “mainlined into the veins of the nation”.
From the visible and novel, like ‘AI bot ‘ MPs; to the hidden and less-interrogated, like the algorithms that drive decision-making around benefits; to the new capabilities around working with large text datasets that we ourselves are experimenting with at mySociety: Artificial Intelligence is changing the way democracy works.
We’ve been thinking about AI for some time, as have our colleagues around the world — TICTeC 2025 had a strong strand of pro-democracy organisations showcasing how they are using new technologies to hold authorities to account and support public engagement; alongside developers showing the tools that aim to make the government more responsive.
AI is coming to democracy, whether we like it or not. In many places, it’s already here.
But there are implementations in which it can be highly beneficial to us all; and ways in which it can present a clear and present danger to democracy.
It benefits everyone if there is a high level of understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities of AI in government. Democratic decision makers need to understand digital tech in order to legislate effectively around it, to develop and procure it effectively.
This is not just so that they can deliver services more efficiently, but also to ensure that they retain the legitimacy of democratic government by using tech and AI in a way that ensures transparency and accountability, preserves public trust and allows the public to understand and participate in the decisions that affect their lives.
Reflections for our time
Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing our own thoughts and experience — alongside invited guest writers who are thinking about how AI interacts with democratic processes and institutions, and how to make that better — in a series of short pieces.
These will examine the different ways that AI is affecting the things we care about here at mySociety:
- Transparent, informed, responsive democratic institutions
- Politicians and public servants who work for the public interest
- Democratic equality for citizens: equal access to information, representation and voice
- A flourishing civil society ecosystem
- The effective and principled use of digital technologies
- Action from politicians to match the evidence of the climate crisis and the level of public concern
- Better communication between politicians and the public, creating space for climate action.
Stay informed
If you’d like to get updates in your inbox, make sure you’ve checked ‘Artificial Intelligence’ on our newsletter sign-up form (if you already receive our newsletters, don’t worry – so long as you use the same email address, this will just update your preferences. Just make sure you’ve ticked everything you’re interested in).
By also completing the ‘how do you identify yourself’ section, you’ll help us send you the most relevant material: that means guidance if you work in government or build tech; data and our analysis if you’re a researcher; tools for holding authorities to account if you are an individual or work in civil society, and so on.
—
Image: Adi Goldstein
