New app using AI aims to expand civic engagement in Minnesota

For anyone who isn’t familiar with how legislation is written and advanced at the state Capitol, the process can feel like it was deliberately created to confuse.

Enter CivicLoon, an app that uses artificial intelligence created by a local programmer with the aim of closing that gap between what elected representatives are doing and what their constituents can see and understand.

Although the potential for mistakes and biases in AI models remains a cause for concern, researchers say that summarizing and translating documents is actually an area where models generally excel. At the same time, civic groups are pushing for any way to step up voter education and engagement, particularly as the legislative session enters its final month and lawmakers whittle down which bills have realistic prospects for passage.

“As an ordinary person, it doesn’t feel like you really have a voice. Lobbyists are there every single day of every