Olivier Schulbaum on democracy after the platform and the struggle for democratic infrastructures
Ep. 57

Olivier Schulbaum on democracy after the platform and the struggle for democratic infrastructures

Episode description

Olivier Schulbaum co-founded Platoniq, a foundation at the intersection of participation, civic technology, culture, social innovation and democratic experimentation. He explains why citizen assemblies on sensitive issues should begin with those most affected, allowing them to shape the agenda before experts frame the question. The conversation also examines how institutional “technification” can drain citizens’ proposals of their original meaning. It then turns to GRID, an experimental AI agent with a legislative-theatre “joker” that interrupts the flow and asks participants to reflect. Rather than treating AI as a frictionless route to consensus, Schulbaum explores technology that deliberately introduces friction into deliberation.