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Policy Brief  

AI for Democracy Movements: Toward a New Agenda

A new report summarizes key insights from the Nonviolent Action Lab’s December 2025 convening on how artificial intelligence can empower pro-democracy movements.

By:

Programs

Nonviolent Action Lab

Issues

Democracy and AI

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A cover photo of the report.

While much of the existing research on artificial intelligence and democratic movements has centered on how authoritarian regimes use AI for surveillance and repression, less attention has been paid to how these tools might strengthen pro-democracy efforts. Recognizing this gap, the Nonviolent Action Lab convened a workshop in December 2024 to explore potential applications of AI in democracy movements and encourage collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and technologists.

Building on this momentum, a second workshop in December 2025 brought together a broader group of experts to assess recent developments, examine emerging use cases, and identify the challenges of AI adoption in democratic movements. This report summarizes key insights from the December 2025 convening, distilling three urgent interventions for the field—”(1) an AI code of conduct for democracy movement groups and organizations, (2) a targeted research agenda on AI in democracy movements, and (3) efforts to expand and strengthen collaborative linkages between the technologist and democracy activist communities.”

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