On this episode of Virtual Sentiments, host Kristen Collins chats with Alice Siu on how deliberative polling fosters informed, respectful public dialogue. They discuss the method’s use in both in-person and on AI-assisted virtual forums, its role in shaping policy, and its potential to reduce polarization. Alice highlights the importance of teaching deliberative skills in schools and how real-time, structured conversations can strengthen democracy.

Dr. Alice Siu is an Associate Director at Stanford University’s Deliberative Democracy Lab and a senior research fellow at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.

Read more work from Kristen Collins.

Show Notes:

• Alice’s book chapter, “Reimagining Democracy: The Role of Technology and Deliberation”
• Alice’s paper for the American Political Science Review, “Is Deliberation an Antidote to Extreme Partisan Polarization? Reflections on ‘America in One Room’”
• Results of Alice’s work with Meta, April 2024, April 2025, “Results of First Global Deliberative Poll® Announced by Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab”
• New York Times article, “She Is in Love With ChatGPT”
• S1E4, Jennifer Forestal on Designing Democratic Digital Spaces
• S3E1, Kris Rose on Deliberative Democracy and Meta's Community Forums

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