Can AI save democracy? In Conversation with Beth Simone Noveck

We invite you to a timely Australian talk with one of the world’s leading experts on democratic innovation and the future of AI, Professor Beth Simone Noveck, director of the Burnes Centre for Social Change, and author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy, as she shares insights from her latest book at UTS on Thursday 27 August.

As trust in institutions is increasingly under pressure and democracy faces growing challenges around the world, artificial intelligence has emerged as a transformative force, rapidly reshaping how decisions are made. At this pivotal moment, Beth Noveck poses a critical question: Will AI tighten the grip of power – or help rebuild public institutions that work for people?

In Reboot, Beth argues that we have built extraordinary technologies without yet applying them to one of society's greatest challenges: democracy itself. She explores how AI can help institutions listen better, engage citizens more meaningfully and deliver better outcomes for the communities they serve.

Beth will be in conversation with Carl Rhodes, Professor of Business and Society and Director of the Ultimo Institute at UTS, with closing remarks from Professor Sally Cripps, Co-Director of the Human Technology Institute at UTS, as they explore opportunities for democratic renewal in the age of artificial intelligence – and how emerging technologies can be used to strengthen citizen participation and public trust, and serve public good rather than concentrate power.

Beth Simone Noveck is the author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy (Yale University Press, 2026). A professor at Northeastern University with appointments in law, engineering, policy, communications and computer science, she directs The Burnes Center for Social Change and The Governance Lab. Her work focuses on “Democratic AI” or how to apply AI to strengthen democratic institutions and improve government performance. She previously served in the White House, 10 Downing Street, and the German Chancellery, and founded the White House Open Government Initiative. She leads InnovateUS, which supports free public sector learning and its research initiative the Observatory of Public Sector AI, and AI for Impact, which designs and deploys AI tools to improve public outcomes. In 2026, Beth joined the Australian Resilient Democracy Network as a Global Fellow.

Carl Rhodes is Professor of Business and Society and Director of the Ultimo Institute at UTS. Carl's influential research explores the relationship between liberal democracy and contemporary capitalism with a view to reformulating the role of business in society so prosperity can be shared by all. Carl’s most recent books include Stinking Rich: The Four Myths of the Good Billionaire, Woke Capitalism: How Corporate Morality is Sabotaging Democracy, and CEO Society: The Corporate Takeover of Everyday Life (with Peter Bloom).

Location:  Level 3, UTS Business School (UTS Building 8), 14-28 Ultimo Road, Ultimo

This event is presented by the Human Technology Institute and the Ultimo Institute at UTS, in collaboration with the Australian Resilient Democracy Network (ARDN).

Professor Noveck is visiting Australia as the ARDN International Fellow for 2026, jointly co-hosted by the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and supported by the Office for Social Cohesion (OSC). The fellowship is exploring democratic innovation, public participation, and technology-enabled governance.