Register for this event (HUID holders in person, members of the public on Zoom)

Nathan Sanders is a data scientist focused on creating open technology to help vulnerable communities and all stakeholders participate in the analysis and development of public policy. He is an Affiliate of the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University, and recently published the book Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship (MIT Press, 2025), co-authored with HKS faculty member Bruce Schneier.

At this session of Data + Donuts, Sanders will present the ideas at the core of his new book, which is "an informative and wide-ranging exploration of how AI will alter every facet of democracy, and how to harness the technology to distribute rather than concentrate power." Sanders will explore issues like how lawmakers might use AI to create more complex legislation, how civil servants are using AI to shape private-sector behavior, and how lawyers and judges are using AI to change the way we approach law enforcement, litigation, and dispute resolution. Ultimately, Sanders will invite attendees to consider how the ways we develop and use AI might enhance or degrade democracy.

Sanders's talk will be given in a hybrid format. Harvard affiliates are invited to register to attend in person, while members of the public are invited to attend online.

Since 2018, Data + Donuts has featured researchers and practitioners speaking about how they use data in their work, and on issues of data and society. We welcome those from the HKS community and beyond to share knowledge, discussion, and donuts. Explore the full list of past speakers. Video recordings are available upon request.

Anyone with a disability who would like to request accommodations or who has questions about physical access may contact library_research@hks.harvard.edu or call 617-495-7813 in advance of the program or visit.