Two substantial technological advances have reshaped the public square in recent decades: first with the advent of the internet and second with the recent introduction of large language models (LLMs). LLMs offer opportunities for a paradigm shift towards more decentralized, participatory online spaces that can be used to facilitate deliberative dialogues at scale, but also create risks of exacerbating societal schisms. Here, we explore four applications of LLMs to improve digital public squares: collective dialogue systems, bridging systems, community moderation, and proof-of-humanity systems. Building on the input from over 70 civil society experts and technologists, we argue that LLMs both afford promising opportunities to shift the paradigm for conversations at scale and pose distinct risks for digital public squares. We lay out an agenda for future research and investments in AI that will strengthen digital public squares and safeguard against potential misuses of AI.

翻译：近几十年来，两项重大技术进步重塑了公共广场的形态：首先是互联网的出现，其次是近期大型语言模型（LLMs）的引入。LLMs为实现范式转变提供了机遇，有助于构建更加去中心化、参与式的在线空间，从而促进大规模审议性对话，但同时也加剧了社会分裂的风险。本文探讨了LLMs改善数字公共广场的四种应用：集体对话系统、桥梁系统、社区审核系统以及人类身份验证系统。基于超过70位公民社会专家和技术专家的意见，我们认为LLMs既为大规模对话的范式转变提供了前景广阔的机遇，也给数字公共广场带来了独特的风险。我们提出了未来人工智能研究和投资的议程，旨在加强数字公共广场建设，并防范人工智能的潜在滥用。