Making democracy work has never been easy, and many argue technology has only deepened divisions. But ComplexChaos thinks AI can help people find common ground, turning artificial intelligence into a tool for cooperation instead of conflict.
Image Credits:alengo / Getty Images
The startup, co-founded by Tomy Lorsch and Maya Ben Dror, believes AI can act as a facilitator to help groups understand each other better and reach consensus faster. Instead of replacing human dialogue, the tool is designed to guide conversations, summarize complex information, and reduce friction in negotiations.
From "Explain Like I’m 5" To AI As A Mediator
Lorsch said his inspiration came from noticing how often people ask AI to simplify complex ideas. “What if we use it as a facilitator to help people understand each other and find common ground?” he told TechCrunch.
While tools like Slack or Google Docs are built for collaboration, ComplexChaos focuses on cooperation—a process that traditionally requires trained facilitators and often slows down across time zones and negotiations. Their AI-powered platform aims to scale what human facilitators cannot.
The Habermas Machine And Early Trials
The founders were encouraged by Google’s Habermas Machine, an AI designed to generate consensus statements that represent both majority and minority perspectives. ComplexChaos integrates this with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, helping groups ask better questions, create conversation goals, and condense lengthy documents.
The startup recently tested its tool with young delegates from nine African nations at a United Nations campus in Bonn, Germany. The AI supported climate negotiation prep by helping delegates align as a bloc before entering larger talks.
Results: Faster, More Inclusive Negotiations
The trial produced striking results. Delegates reported a 60% reduction in coordination time, while 91% said the AI helped them see perspectives they would have missed otherwise.
Ben Dror explained that the tool also helps during live negotiations. Normally, blocs must pause talks to reassess new information, causing delays. ComplexChaos hopes AI can streamline this process, minimizing friction and speeding up consensus.
Beyond Politics: Corporate Applications
While international diplomacy is a natural testing ground, ComplexChaos is also pitching its AI tool to corporations. Large consultancies and tech companies often face the same challenges—aligning diverse stakeholders, managing complex projects, and reaching agreement quickly.
By offering a platform that fosters cooperation instead of endless back-and-forth, ComplexChaos envisions AI as a bridge, not a barrier.
In an era of rising polarization, ComplexChaos thinks AI can help people find common ground in ways traditional methods can’t. Whether in climate negotiations or corporate boardrooms, the startup’s experiment shows AI can do more than automate tasks—it can nurture understanding.
As debates around AI’s role in society intensify, ComplexChaos presents a hopeful counterpoint: technology not just as a disruptor, but as a mediator for cooperation.
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