The Artificial Intelligence and Citizens' Councils (KIB) project is investigating the possible applications of digital and AI tools in the context of deliberative processes. The project will develop an LLM-based AI tool (expert system) and test it in a citizens' assembly.

The project will address the following questions

1. for which known deficits of citizens' councils and citizen science can AI show a particular solution potential, for example in terms of accessibility, inclusion and knowledge transfer?

2. what limitations, particularly in the areas of reliability, impartiality, digital competences and possible influence on users, are evident when using AI and how can they be addressed so that social participation processes are meaningfully expanded and effectively enriched by the technological possibilities of AI?

Further information on KIB can be found here or on the website of the Integrated Research Cluster.

BE:ST stands for "Citizen Energy: Structural Strengthening & Participation". The social and economic research project is dedicated to the basic conditions for an effective citizen energy transition in Lusatia and the Rhenish mining area. You can find more information about BE:ST here (in German).

The Citizens' Councils database documents deliberative citizen participation processes in Germany from 1972 to today. It categorizes assemblies by topic, procedure type, and institutional context. The database compiles cases from sources like the OECD and adds new research-based entries. Following a citizen science model, users can edit and add entries, which are reviewed before inclusion. This resource supports comparative policy research and offers practitioners a comprehensive collection of best practices. Click here to access the Citizens' Councils database.

The citizens' petitions database serves the purpose of political education and aims to help publish information and findings on direct democratic procedures in Germany. It is aimed at citizens, academics, the media, public administrations, and anyone who wants to learn more about the possible applications and effects of direct democracy. Click here to access the Citizens' Petitions database.

The joint project SoPaEn is dedicated to the social acceptance of the energy transition in the skilled crafts sector at an individual, company and association level. The IDPF sub-project focuses on the attitudes of craftspeople (individual level) and the organisations of craftspeople's self-administration and interest representation (association level; photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash). Further information can be found here (in German).