Marcin Woźniak about Swarmcheck and Argument Mapping: How democratic discourse can be more rational
Ep. 03

Marcin Woźniak about Swarmcheck and Argument Mapping: How democratic discourse can be more rational

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Episode description

NOTE: Because of some network problems, I had to repeat some questions. I had to cut the video a couple of times: to make it comprehensible, I’ve inserted a “beep” sound, to make it clear that is not Marcin that is repeating himself. I hope it is comprehensible. :)

In this insightful episode, Marcin Woźniak discusses SwarmCheck, an innovative argument mapping software developed by the Optimum Foundation to improve rational public discourse and collective decision-making. SwarmCheck visualizes arguments as interactive networks, helping people find agreements and understand disagreements through an analytical approach. Marcin explains how the platform enhances critical thinking, reduces polarization, and has been successfully applied in policymaking, pharmaceutical research, and educational contexts. He shares his concerns about AI development and argues that combining collective human intelligence with artificial intelligence represents our best path forward in an increasingly complex world, where technology should augment rather than replace human reasoning.

https://www.swarmcheck.ai/

https://democracyinnovators.com/marcin-wozniak-about-swarmcheck-and-argument-mapping-how-democratic-discourse-can-be-more-rational/

0:00Introduction and welcome
0:32What is SwarmCheck?
2:07Use cases for SwarmCheck
6:20What is an argument map?
9:20Collective testing and team size
10:30The Delphi method explained
13:00Finding agreements and disagreements analytically
14:00SwarmCheck's impact on critical thinking
15:30Marcin's background and education
19:05Philosophy, law, and the Optimum Foundation
22:50Artificial intelligence: potential and risks
27:20The problem with democratic processes
32:10Improving communication to solve conflicts
34:10How language and philosophy developed civilization
36:40Building collective knowledge with technology
39:30SwarmCheck team history and structure
44:40Current state of the software and future development
49:40The future of law and governance
55:00AI, superintelligence, and collective intelligence
58:40Message to the civic tech community
1:01:50Final thoughts on war, communication, and hope