Case Study: Somerset House Studios explores algorithmic power and democratic futures with Superflux

Somerset House Studios runs a 90-minute citizens assembly with Superflux

Somerset House Studios, a London-based arts and culture organization, sought to foster public discourse on the complex challenge algorithmic power poses to modern democracy. They commissioned the design studio Superflux to create and facilitate a unique deliberative event to explore this issue.

Superflux designed and executed a pilot Citizens' Assembly on Algorithmic Power using the method of sortition to recruit a diverse group of participants. They facilitated a 90-minute session where experts provided background and participants deliberated on a speculative future scenario involving multi-agent AI systems. The key result was a rich, critical dialogue that generated nuanced questions and emergent themes, powerfully demonstrating the value of human collective intelligence over purely algorithmic decision-making. Superflux successfully proved the value of engaging the public on complex technological issues through this innovative format.

Somerset House Studios