Rongchai Wang
Nov 01, 2024 18:21
Bailey Flanigan from Harvard introduces modern algorithms for honest and manipulation-resistant sortition, advancing citizen assemblies and blockchain decision-making, as reported by a16z crypto.
Harvard’s Bailey Flanigan has unveiled groundbreaking algorithms designed to boost the equity and robustness of sortition, in line with a16z crypto. Sortition, the method of choosing representatives by way of lottery, has seen renewed curiosity for its potential functions in residents’ assemblies and blockchain governance.
Advancing Sortition Beliefs
Flanigan’s work focuses on optimizing the three core beliefs of sortition: proportional illustration, equal alternative for participation, and resistance to manipulation. These beliefs are difficult to realize in trendy functions the place participation can’t be mandated, resulting in biases in voluntary opt-ins.
Her algorithms, developed with enter from nonprofit organizations using residents’ assemblies, implement approximate proportional illustration as a major constraint. They then intention to optimize the remaining beliefs of equal participation and manipulation resistance by way of superior mathematical formalizations utilizing optimization, algorithms, and sport principle.
Actual-World Purposes and Public Entry
Flanigan’s algorithms have been efficiently deployed in varied high-profile residents’ assemblies, offering a sturdy framework for decision-making processes that intention to be extra inclusive and honest. These instruments are made publicly accessible by way of Panelot.org, providing assets for practitioners in search of to implement honest sortition strategies.
About Bailey Flanigan
Bailey Flanigan is a postdoctoral fellow on the Harvard Ash Heart for Democratic Governance and Innovation. She holds a PhD in laptop science from Carnegie Mellon College, the place she was suggested by Ariel Procaccia. Beginning in Fall 2025, Flanigan will be part of MIT as an assistant professor in political science and laptop science.
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