The Future of Voting: Can Civic Tech and AI Save Democracy?

Can technology actually rebuild trust in democracy—or is it just making things worse? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, we sit down with Mychal Shaw, founder of Uwazi, a civic tech platform using AI to cut through misinformation, improve civic literacy, and make everyday engagement in democracy simple, clear, and accessible. We explore: Why voter apathy and civic illiteracy are bigger threats than low turnout. How AI can provide clarity on policies, elections, and even misinformation from TikTok and social media. The idea of “trust as infrastructure” and how transparency can close participation gaps. How civic tech can empower the next generation of voters before they even turn 18. What it takes to build a sustainable, mission-driven startup in one of the hardest spaces—politics and government. If you’ve ever wondered whether technology can actually heal polarization—or if AI can create smarter, more confident voters—this conversation will challenge how you think about democracy’s future.