complexchaos: AI for Finding Common Ground

The Potential of AI in Fostering Democratic Collaboration

The complexities of effective democratic processes have become increasingly apparent in recent times. Certain observers suggest that technological advancements may be exacerbating these challenges. However, a new venture is exploring whether artificial intelligence could instead serve as a means of bridging divides and promoting understanding.

A New Approach to Consensus Building

Tomy Lorsch, co-founder and CEO of ComplexChaos, shared with TechCrunch a pivotal realization. He noted that individuals frequently pose questions to AI systems as if addressing a young child. This observation sparked the idea of leveraging AI to facilitate mutual comprehension and identify areas of agreement between people.

Alongside co-founder Maya Ben Dror, Lorsch is dedicated to developing instruments designed to assist groups in reaching consensus. While their initial testing ground was climate negotiations, the applicability of their tools extends to any subject matter. The primary objective is to encourage collaboration and expedite the process of group decision-making.

Cooperation vs. Collaboration

Lorsch distinguishes between collaboration and cooperation, stating that numerous software solutions already exist to support collaboration, such as Slack and Google Docs. He emphasizes that fostering genuine cooperation represents a distinct challenge.

Traditionally, skilled facilitators guide groups toward consensus, but this approach doesn't scale efficiently. The process can be significantly slowed when discussions and preparations occur across different time zones or even within separate locations.

Leveraging Advanced LLMs

Lorsch expressed optimism regarding a recent large language model (LLM) created by Google, known as the Habermas Machine. This model was specifically engineered to generate group consensus statements that accurately reflect both majority and minority viewpoints.

Trialing the Technology with African Delegates

ComplexChaos recently conducted a trial of its tool with young delegates from nine African nations. The purpose was to prepare them for climate-related discussions at a United Nations facility in Bonn, Germany. The system integrates both Google’s Habermas Machine and OpenAI’s ChatGPT to formulate questions, establish conversation objectives, and condense lengthy documents.

The intention, as Ben Dror explained, is to enable the delegates to achieve consensus within their bloc prior to engaging in negotiations with other parties.

Streamlining Negotiations and Reducing Friction

Ideally, the tool will also accelerate the negotiation process itself. When groups of aligned countries encounter new information during large sessions, they often require time to regroup and reassess. “These blocs frequently cause negotiations to pause,” Ben Dror noted, “as they must reconvene, renegotiate, and reposition before re-entering discussions, creating considerable friction.” ComplexChaos aims to minimize this downtime with its technology.

Positive Trial Results

During the trial involving delegates from African countries, ComplexChaos reported that participants experienced up to a 60% reduction in coordination time. Furthermore, 91% of participants indicated that the AI tool broadened their perspectives and helped them consider viewpoints they might have otherwise overlooked.

Expanding Applications to the Corporate Sector

ComplexChaos is also presenting its cooperation tool to businesses, including technology firms and major consulting companies. Lorsch points out that strategic planning within organizations presents a similar problem. “The annual strategic planning cycle for most companies consumes approximately three months, involving extensive negotiations across teams and time zones.”

A Focus on Climate Change

Despite its broad applicability, Lorsch and Ben Dror are particularly passionate about the potential of their tool to address climate negotiations.

“If AI can expedite and simplify these processes, we would be significantly better equipped to tackle not only climate change but also any major sustainability challenge or global issue we face,” Ben Dror concluded.