Digital Democracy Lab Handbook
General Overview & Rationale
The Digital Democracy Lab Handbook and the Digital Democracy Lab Demonstrator are closely interconnected components.
Together, they provide a structured framework that explores the potential of AI and Big Data in supporting democratic discourse and civic engagement. At the same time, they enhance public understanding and participation in discussions about Machine Learning (ML) and AI.
The Demonstrator serves as an AI-assisted pilot system designed to support deliberation within Mini-Publics—small, deliberative groups of citizens—on complex topics that would typically be difficult to address in such democratic settings.
The Handbook, on the other hand, documents the foundational principles of participatory algorithmic accountability that underpin the entire system. It also defines the social and socio-technical dynamics of the Democracy Lab—what happens in the room—alongside the optimal ethical, practical, and technical conditions for its use. By drawing on fundamental models and research findings, the Handbook presents a set of actionable principles grounded in design justice and introduces a Democracy-in-the-loop approach to AI design and development. These principles advocate for an ethical and democratic approach to AI, ensuring its responsible design, deployment, and use.
Who is involved in the development process
DemSoc leads the efforts within WP7, which forms the foundation for KER 5 and 6. Drawing on their expertise in research and design, DemSoc critically assesses the development and deployment of participatory AI/ML paradigms within democratic and civic contexts. In addition to developing the framework that underpins the Handbook, DemSoc designs methods and tools to foster participatory approaches and design justice principles. Crucially, they also conceptualised and designed the Demonstrator, applying the Democracy-in-the-loop approach to ensure AI systems are shaped by democratic values and public input. Furthermore, DemSoc is responsible for designing, leading, and evaluating the Digital Democracy Labs, which serve as the backbone of KER 5.
TCD will support this effort with the different perspectives on this same topic that have been developed within the digital humanities and cultural critiques of knowledge technologies.
Hybridcore will build, test and deploy technical components to support the Digital Democracy Lab Demonstrator system.
Stakeholder Groups:
Members involved in the development process



Stakeholders & Testing
The external stakeholders are policy makers, software developers and CSOs. The inclusive involvement of a variety of stakeholders serves to make the process experimental, innovative and participative, inspiring both new modes of civic engagement as well as new AI/big data design guidelines and possible business models.
The Digital Democracy Lab was held during two iterations in October and November 2024.
Useful Resources
To be uploaded
Why is it important?
The Digital Democracy Lab Handbook (KER 5) provides an encompassing overview of the Digital Democracy Lab System, illustrating how AI's utilization under well-defined regulations, norms, and principles can amplify democratic discourse and civic involvement. Concurrently, it demystifies the inner workings of AI and machine learning, empowering participants to grasp and actively participate in democratic deliberations regarding AI and advanced knowledge technologies (AKTs)advancement.
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“A democratic conversation and governance of AI is indispensable. For public participation and engagement with these issues, we need critical digital education, the technology needs to be explainable, and accountability has to be democratised.” - Elizabeth Calderón Lüning, Mission lead for Democracy and Emerging Technologies