Sweden Tests AI to Handle Democracy at Scale—With Surprising Limits
A Swedish region used AI to synthesize 1,500 citizen contributions into a 2040 strategy, proving that algorithms can expand democratic participation across municipalities. But the experiment revealed a critical risk: AI tools can flatten complex local concerns into oversimplified patterns, potentially reinforcing existing power structures rather than surfacing marginalized voices.
Originaltitel: Augmented codesign? Methodological insights from an AI-supported regional strategic development process
<p>In an era where public institutions are under pressure to demonstrate democratic legitimacy, regional development has become a complex policy arena. This paper explores an experimental initiative in [hidden-for-review], Sweden, where a participatory, design-informed process co-created the Region’s 2040 development strategy. Drawing on strategic and codesign principles, the initiative engaged all 14 municipalities through workshops, dialogues, and digital platforms, involving over 1500 contributions, including youth and underrepresented groups. A key feature was the integration of AI, using prompt-engineered tools to synthesise thousands of free-text contributions. Rather than replacing human judgement, AI expanded the capacity to listen across scale. The study identifies both the potential and tensions of using codesign and AI in policymaking. While codesign ensures broad inclusion, AI tools risk flattening complexity and reproducing epistemic inequalities if not used conscientiously. This paper articulates methodological codesign insights grounded in epistemic pluralism, transparency, reflexivity, contextual sensitivity, and outlier voices, contributing to the emerging discourse on codesign and AI in public sector. </p>