Civic University – Democracy, AI, and the Public Imagination

This conversation is a timely exploration of the civic role of the university in an age of democratic uncertainty and rapid technological change. The event will examine how universities can act as democratic institutions – harnessing AI not just as a tool for innovation, but to strengthen participation, trust, and public problem-solving. At a moment when democracy feels increasingly fragile, what responsibilities do universities hold as civic actors embedded in society? And how can they help design and deploy technologies that serve the public good rather than concentrate power? This conversation invites us to reimagine the university not only as a site of knowledge, but as a vital partner in renewing democratic life.

Part of the Future University programme, this event looks beyond immediate sector challenges to ask what kind of institutions we need for the future – and how universities can rise to meet that moment.

Image credit: Elise Racine & The Bigger Picture / https://betterimagesofai.org / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Host or Publisher Edinburgh Futures Institute