Our work on Democracy
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Festival of Politics 2025: Vote Chatbot at the Ballot
Will AI support or supplant human participation in politics? As AI tools become embedded in political life, from campaign chatbots to false biographies and AI-generated avatars, how do we ensure that AI doesn’t become a disruptive force in politics, and that democracy remains human at its core? Exactly who will maintain a balance between automation and accountability, and how do we address the risks…
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Festival of Politics 2025: Reshaping local government: a vision for Scotland’s future
It’s been 30 years since the controversial reorganisation of local government in Scotland. Is the current structure fit for the next 30 years? At the Festival of Politics 2025 our panel reflected on historical lessons and explored innovative ideas for reshaping local governance. Did the creation of the Scottish Parliament come at the expense of strengthening local…
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The Scottish Parliament at 25
Friday 23 August 2024, at the Scottish Parliament As part of the 2024 Festival of Politics, Scotland’s Futures Forum helped the Scottish Parliament mark its 25th anniversary with a panel discussion reflecting on its achievements, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The event highlighted the Parliament’s strengths, legislative achievements, and areas for improvement, with a focus…
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COP28: Code Red for parliaments – what next?
How are parliaments changing to respond to the climate and biodiversity emergencies? How are they supporting their elected members to deal with the issues..
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COP28: An update from the conference
Malini Mehra, chief executive of GLOBE International, joins parliamentarians in the COP pavilion to provide an update on how conference negotiations are going.
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Artificial Intelligence and Democracy
What effect will AI have on democracy? This podcast, recorded in May 2023, explored the potential impact of AI on our lives and how we should react.
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Data Vultures Destroying Democracy?
Podcast of “Data Vultures Destroying Democracy” debate, from the 2022 Festival of Politics, on the increasing role of data in our society and the implications for democracy.
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Information and Disinformation
A Futures Forum debate at the Festival of Politics on 11 August 2022 on disinformation, new media and democracy. In partnership with the CPG on Tibet.
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Democracy 2045: Challenges and Opportunities
A summary of the Futures Forum’s work on the future of democracy from 2021 and 2022: Environment, Technology and Participation.
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COP26: Code Red for Parliaments
This report uses events at COP26 to identify a pathway for Parliaments in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies.