Comment by Data Justice Lab

They have been used to discuss key questions such as how to fight climate change and amend national constitutions. And they have increasingly addressed concerns around data, artificial intelligence, and automated decision-making. [...] What if participatory models were used to create permanent bodies to give citizens a voice in ongoing decision and policymaking? A mini-public, a group composed of a randomised sample of the general population, could oversee or inform governmental decisions on how data systems are used, particularly those with serious implications for people’s lives. Permanent mini-publics have already been established to advise and scrutinise parliaments and a permanent Citizens' Assembly has been proposed as a second chamber in the Scottish Parliament.