Demos Waves
Waves is a current UK programme testing whether AI can make local deliberation cheaper, faster, and deeper — so councils can involve residents meaningfully in hard decisions rather than just collecting yes/no opinions. Led by the think tank Demos, it is being trialled with two councils. Because it is ongoing, its outcomes are still emerging.
About the programme
Section titled “About the programme”Waves is a two-year, roughly €1 million project, funded by Google.org in 2024 and led by Demos with the local-government network New Local and a set of civic-tech partners (which across the project have included CrownShy, Dembrane, CASM Technology, PSi, and Remesh). Its aim is a new model for participatory local democracy that works “at scale and in depth” — using AI to help large numbers of residents work through trade-offs and build consensus, rather than stopping at a poll. A Waves Learning Network (July 2025 – September 2026) lets other councils follow and learn from the trials.
| Process type | AI-augmented digital deliberation (programme + local pilots) |
| When | 2024 – ongoing (two-year project) |
| Where | England (local councils) |
| Led by | Demos, with New Local + civic-tech partners |
| Funder | Google.org (2024) |
| Aim | Cheaper, faster, deeper local deliberation; rebuild trust in local government |
Trial: Camden — adult social care
Section titled “Trial: Camden — adult social care”The first trial, with the London Borough of Camden, used Waves to co-develop an approach to adult social care (the “Who Cares?” engagement). New Local has described Camden’s experience implementing Waves in an adult-social-care deliberation as an early source of lessons on data governance, trust, and inclusivity.
Status: Ongoing — results and evaluation still emerging.
Trial: South Staffordshire — Local Plan
Section titled “Trial: South Staffordshire — Local Plan”The second trial, with South Staffordshire Council, applies Waves to an inclusive engagement process for the council’s next Local Plan (how land and development are planned locally).
Status: Ongoing — results and evaluation still emerging.