PublicSpaces Conference 2026: Technology for Democracy
The sixth edition of the PublicSpaces Conference on June 4, 5 & 6, focuses on the impact of technology on our democracy.
It's a wrap!
On June 4, 5, and 6, PublicSpaces and Waag Futurelab organized the sixth edition of the PublicSpaces conference “Technology for Democracy.” Through a packed program featuring keynotes, workshops, roundtable sessions, art, culture, panels, an unconference, a bazaar, networking events, and an awards show, we discussed how we can make technology work for us again—and for our democracy.
Want to relive it all? Dive into the archives and watch all the videos
This year's theme: Technology for Democracy
Why a digital public space is essential for a healthy democratic society.
Pre-Conference on June 4
The Pre-Conference brings together developers, researchers, policymakers, community organizers, lawyers, and artists for a day of focused sessions, spread across Waag Futurelab, the Marineterrein, and Pakhuis de Zwijger.
Conference on June 5
5 June is the heart of the PublicSpaces Conference: a full day of keynotes, panels, workshops, and an art programme bringing together researchers, policymakers, technologists, journalists, artists, and activists from across Europe and beyond.
Hyperlink on June 6
Join us on Saturday, June 6th, for Hyperlink at Waag Futurelab and discover how we can make technology work for our democracy again by participating in various workshops, exhibitions and talks.
Latest updates
August 06 - 16:37
Designing the Stack, een sessie tijdens de PublicSpaces Conference 2026, is inmiddels van start gegaan. Het project onderzoekt hoe digitale omgevingen kunnen bijdragen aan mentale veerkracht zonder dat publieke waarden — privacy, inclusiviteit, transparantie — wijken voor commerciële belangen. Van interface tot governance, in samenwerking met PublicSpaces en meerdere partners.
Meer over het project: https://civicinteractiondesign.com/projects/designing-the-stack/ Foto: Lotte Dale #pubconf2026
July 28 - 12:24
Terugblik op de PublicSpaces Conferentie 2026 🎙️ Tijdens de conferentie werd live een aflevering van de podcast Verrekijkers van @RathenauNL opgenomen en die is nu te beluisteren! Algoritmes, AI-bots en polarisatie zetten het online debat onder druk. Wat willen burgers zelf eigenlijk van het publieke debat van de toekomst?
Luister de aflevering hier: https://www.rathenau.nl/nl/digitalisering/naar-een-menswaardige-digitale-technologie/verrekijkers-live-het-online-debat-nog-te-redden
#pubconf2026
📷 Raymond van Mil
June 11 - 18:07
A lot happened at #pubconf2026 this year. @stefan I still need to watch the session happening next door to the one I was hosting/moderating to see what was said and why Bjorn disappeared near the end of the session.
Made possible by
Organising this conference was made possible by contributions from these organisations.
