Call for Abstracts: AI/Technology for Democratic Information-Flows Workshop (AI-DIF Workshop)
\nWe are excited to announce a workshop on using AI/technology to promote democratic information flows\, to be held June 18-19\, 2027 at the University of Michigan\, Ann Arbor.
\nThe workshop seeks proposals for how to use technology\, especially AI\, to promote democratic information-flows. We define &ldquo\;information-flows&rdquo\; broadly to include any informational exchange\, amplification\, or curation in the public sphere (including and especially the informal public sphere) that bears on democratic life. Much research has already shown how many contemporary technologies\, such as social media and generative AI\, have frequently functioned to direct information flows in ways that harm democracy. This workshop aims to foster proposals for how technologies can be used to contribute solutions to this problem by directing information flows in democracy-promoting ways. We seek positive\, constructive proposals on how to do so\, from authors who are interested in their practical realization. The proposals themselves may be theoretical\, consist in policies\, guidelines\, or standards (say\, for software engineers or tech companies)\, ideas for adaptations of existing technologies\, or ideas or designs for new technologies at any stage of development.
\nWe encourage proposals from academics in any discipline\, including graduate students\, as well as practitioners who are designing relevant policies or technologies. By bringing together academics and practitioners\, we hope to foster collaborations that can move democracy-promoting ideas to practical realization. \;
\nPaper presenters will receive feedback from other presenters as well as from faculty and graduate student attendees from the University of Michigan\, who we expect will come from many disciplines\, including philosophy\, political science\, law\, information science\, computer science\, and more.
\nProposals should be no more than 500 words and have two parts. The first (roughly 80%) of the proposal should be a traditional abstract of the positive proposal that you would present at the workshop. The second (roughly 20%) of the proposal should explain how feedback from the multidisciplinary faculty and other presenters at this workshop\, including non-academic practitioners\, will be helpful to your proposal and its implementation. This second part of the proposal may (but need not) include any resources at one&rsquo\;s disposal that increase one&rsquo\;s chances of implementing the proposal and/or any grants one plans to apply for to do so.
\nProposals must be blinded. While you may (and indeed should) report any relevant resources at your disposal to practically realize your project\, you should not list the name(s) or institutional affiliation(s) of any of the authors &ndash\; or any information that could be easily identifying in the content of your proposal.
\nWe may solicit additional information from applicants about their proposals before making a final selection of workshop presenters.
\nTravel stipends of up to 1\,400 USD will be offered to selected presenters (one per presentation)\, with the possibility of more funds based on availability and need.
\nThis project was made possible through the PPE Research Consortium and the support of Grant 63658 from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this call are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation. The project also received supplemental funding from the Institute for Humane Studies and PI research funds.
\nPlease submit your blinded proposal and identifying information via the following Google Form: \;https://forms.gle/KYdzasuE8UhJNEsr6
\nThe deadline for submission is December 18th\, 2026\, 11:59pm Anywhere on Earth.
\nPlease feel free to email lmanuali@umich.edu or smws@umich.edu with any questions.
\nWorkshop Conveners: \;
\nElizabeth Anderson\, Professor of Philosophy\, University of Michigan (PI)
\nSalomé\; Viljoen\, Professor of Law\, University of Michigan (Investigator) \;
\nLorenzo Manuali\, PhD Candidate in Philosophy\, University of Michigan (Investigator)
\nSophia Wushanley\, PhD Candidate in Philosophy\, University of Michigan (Investigator)
ORGANIZER;CN=Lorenzo Manuali;CN=Sophia Wushanley;CN=Elizabeth Anderson: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR