At the DemocracyXChange DX26, one idea echoed across panels, hallways, and conversations: if democracy is going to thrive in the years ahead, the economy—and increasingly, technology—must work for people, not the other way around.
Jake Hirsch-Allen stepped into this conversation during a standout panel, “The Case for Public AI,” bringing both clarity and urgency to a topic that is quickly moving from theoretical to essential.
DX26, the seventh annual DemocracyXChange, brought together more than 900 participants and over 90 presenters for three days of dialogue centered on a critical question: how do we build an economy that truly serves democracy? The event challenged attendees to rethink ownership, trust, participation, and power in a rapidly evolving world. And nowhere were those questions more immediate than in discussions about artificial intelligence.
Jake’s perspective was grounded in experience but focused firmly on what comes next. As Director of Partnerships at The Dais, he has spent years working at the intersection of public institutions, private innovation, and social impact. That background shaped his contribution to the panel, where the conversation turned to a pressing issue: can public AI systems deliver both economic benefits and strengthen democratic processes?
The answer, as Jake framed it, isn’t simply about building new tools—it’s about rethinking who those tools are built for and who ultimately controls them.
Public AI, as discussed in the session, represents a shift away from purely private, profit-driven models toward systems that are designed with public interest at their core. That could mean governments, academic institutions, and mission-driven organizations collaborating with private companies to create AI infrastructure that is transparent, accountable, and aligned with democratic values.
Jake emphasized the importance of partnerships—not as a buzzword, but as a necessity. The complexity of AI development means no single sector can do it alone. Public-private collaboration, when done right, can unlock innovation while ensuring that outcomes remain equitable and widely distributed.
The conversation didn’t stop at economics. It extended into trust—arguably the most fragile and essential component of any democratic system. If people believe that technology is being built for them, rather than imposed on them, confidence in both institutions and innovation grows.
That’s where public AI becomes more than a technical framework. It becomes a civic project.
Throughout DX26, attendees wrestled with questions like: Who owns the systems shaping our lives? When does participation become real power? And how can countries like Canada lead in a shifting global landscape? Jake’s contribution helped connect those big-picture questions to actionable pathways—especially in the realm of responsible tech and ethical data.
In many ways, the panel reflected the broader spirit of the conference: optimistic, but not naive. Ambitious, but grounded in real-world constraints.
What emerged was a clear takeaway: the future of AI—and democracy itself—will depend on intentional design. Not just of technology, but of the systems, partnerships, and values that guide it.
Bottom line:
Jake’s voice at DX26 made one thing clear: if we want AI to serve society, we have to build it that way from the start.
Have Jake speak at your next event. Find out more here.
