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

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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.

0:00From poetry to civic tech
3:15Barcelona, Platoniq, and open technology
5:22Goteo and crowdvocacy
10:44Civic tech growth and sustainability
14:01Art-based participation and political UX
17:16Enclave deliberation and citizen-led agendas
24:07Scaling and institutional commitment
26:17Conflict, polarization, and hybrid deliberation
31:14GRIT: AI inside the room
38:18Democracy, solidarity, and affect
42:10Maintenance, governance, and democratic time
45:51From participants to facilitators
49:35Final message: slow down and recycle