Project in a nutshell?

Provide a platform for networking, discussion, decision making, and action that incorporates AI where it can facilitate the work of starting and maintaining grassroots movements.

What’s driving the project?

The anti-democratic forces in this country have plenty of money and organization. They are surely using AI already to further erode American’s liberty and financial well-being. If the ordinary people don’t wake up soon and utilize AI to defend and further their collective interests, we will be resigning to whatever fate the rich and powerful decide for us.

Why do we think this project is feasible?

At this early point in the technology’s history, there are plenty of open-source tools available that can be assembled into a effective platform outside the control of the corporations or the government. We need only define a goal for ourselves, settle upon a democratic process, and gather a modest amount of money. We can then put together a demonstration system using inexpensive or open-source products that will power us through another cycle of design, build, and review.

Has anyone else done something like this?

Yes. Much of the software was developed and tested in Taiwan during the Sunflower Protest of 2014. Finland and Spain currently have large demonstration projects. Even OpenAI itself funded a demonstration project in late 2023, perhaps not realizing they were opening the door for a populist movement to utilize the same software to call for more extensive regulation of the AI industry.

Explain how AI could be a “force multiplier” for grassroots movements?

With AI, it has never been easier to research what the government is doing, see through politicians’ lies, generate content, put that content into circulation, recruit people to the cause, and keep them engaged. AI enables a team of a few to accomplish what used to require many dozens to achieve.

What are the big objectives of the project?

To power the “KFC Cycle”: Know what you want, find out if you’re getting it, change your actions until you do. A simple sketch of the project envisions using 1] the Polis software to help ordinary people network their ideas until a policy consensus emerges, 2] Pexplexity loaded with VoteSmart and Open Secrets data to regularly assess whether the government is delivering the desired results and the politicians that are standing in the way, and 3] AI agents to run publicity, recruiting, and fund raising programs.