AI for better dialogues: New research project “Human Machine Interaction for Democracy (HMI4D)” launched

An interdisciplinary team from the Institute for Business Ethics (IWE-HSG), the Institute of Computer Science (ICS-HSG), Pro Futuris Think + Do Tank, the Center for Democracy Aarau (ZDA), and Beobachter magazine is jointly developing an AI application that analyzes and improves dialogues.

The application, called FRANCA (Free Rational Application of Normative Communicative Action), is designed to help participants identify common ground and receive feedback on the quality of the conversation—contributing to greater understanding, respect, and a culture of reasoned argument in public debates.

FRANCA is being tested in the Swiss dialogue format “Let's Talk” as well as in schools, universities, and communities. The goal is to design the use of AI in such a way that it supports democratic discourse, in line with the HSG motto: from insight to impact.

The project team includes: Thomas Beschorner (contact person), Johannes Schöning, Alice Martin, Nick von Felten, Leon Reicherts, Lea Suter, Sarah Sommer, Ivo Nicholas Scherrer, Francesco Veri, Andri Heimann, Balz Ruchti and Tiziana Ferigutti.