Polis (pol.is)
Level 29: Society, Politics & Media
Society & Culture · Level 29
In short
Polis (pol.is) is an AI tool in the Politics & Public Affairs category from Computational Democracy Project in Seattle, United States. The pricing model is open source. It is with a German interface.
What is Polis (pol.is)?
Polis is an AI-powered platform for digital consultation and deliberation, designed specifically for large-scale civic engagement. Unlike traditional surveys, the system allows participants to vote on existing statements as well as submit their own viewpoints.
The underlying technology utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze user response patterns in real-time. This mechanism automatically identifies clusters of agreement, enabling the visual representation of consensus areas across diverse demographic groups.
By highlighting content that receives broad support from various sections of the population, the tool effectively reduces polarization in discussions. It is primarily used for transparent democratic processes and organizational decision-making where a consensus or a representative opinion map is sought.
Core features & strengths
- Real-time Consensus Mapping — The system dynamically sorts participants into clusters based on their voting behavior. This renders complex opinion landscapes immediately understandable and highlights topics that enjoy broad support throughout the community.
- Open Proposal Process — Users can contribute their own comments or solutions directly into the discussion flow. These are then presented to other participants for assessment, fostering a moderated yet inclusive discourse.
- AI-Driven Data Analytics — The analysis feature independently identifies groups within the discussion without requiring explicit self-identification by participants. This AI-based structuring prevents the dominance of loud minorities and promotes constructive contributions.
Who is this tool for?
The tool is primarily intended for government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and large organizations that aim to facilitate complex consultation processes with many participants in an efficient and transparent manner.
Typical use case
A city government aims to redesign a public square and utilizes Polis to gather broad public opinion. Residents submit proposals that other citizens can vote on anonymously. The AI analysis visualizes in real-time which ideas are consensus-capable among various demographic groups. At the end of the process, the administration possesses validated data that serves as a foundation for the political decision-making process.
What is Polis (pol.is) good for?
- The tool is primarily intended for government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and large organizations that aim to facilitate complex consultation processes with many participants in an efficient and transparent manner.
- A city government aims to redesign a public square and utilizes Polis to gather broad public opinion.
- Real-time Consensus Mapping: The system dynamically sorts participants into clusters based on their voting behavior. This renders complex opinion landscapes immediately understandable and highlights topics that enjoy broad support throughout the community.
- Open Proposal Process: Users can contribute their own comments or solutions directly into the discussion flow. These are then presented to other participants for assessment, fostering a moderated yet inclusive discourse.
- AI-Driven Data Analytics: The analysis feature independently identifies groups within the discussion without requiring explicit self-identification by participants. This AI-based structuring prevents the dominance of loud minorities and promotes constructive contributions.
When a different tool fits better
Polis is not suitable for confidential or highly sensitive votes that require strict identity verification or legally binding election standards. Furthermore, it is ill-suited for linear, simple Q&A surveys where interactive discussion among participants is not required.
Pricing & plans
Plans in detail
- Community0 $0 €free
- Open-source software
- Suitable for small communities
- Enterprise / Hostedon requeston requestannually
- Professional support
- Advanced integration options
Good to know
- The source code is freely available on GitHub for self-hosting.
- The hosted version for organizations is priced individually.
Prices checked on 26/09/2026. Prices based on public provider information, without warranty. Euro amounts are approximations; the provider's pricing page prevails.
Supported languages
The system supports a variety of languages through community translations.
Interface = the tool's menu language, content = the language you can work in. Without guarantee — vendors keep expanding their language coverage.
Privacy & GDPR
Data flow: When using the cloud instance, data is processed on partner servers, with data sovereignty remaining with the client.
Training on your inputs: Inputs are not used for training AI models.
For companies: Corporate clients can enter into individual service agreements and DPAs for hosted services.
Practical advice: Do not enter confidential information or personal data when using the public instance.
- GDPR:
- EU data protection regulation: defines how personal data may be processed and what rights you have (access, deletion, objection).
- On-premises / local:
- The model runs on your own machine or server. Data never leaves your network — the safest option from a privacy standpoint.
- Training on user data:
- Your inputs may feed into future model versions. Confidential content could in theory resurface in other users' answers.
Privacy data checked on 05/09/2026. Editorial summary based on public provider information — not legal advice. When in doubt, check the provider's current privacy terms.
Fact sheet
| Vendor | Computational Democracy Project |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Seattle, United States |
| Category | Politics & Public Affairs |
| Pyramid level | Level 29 – Society, Politics & Media |
| Pricing model | Open Source |
| Free forever option | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Entry plan | Community: 0 $ (0 €) |
| German | interface and content |
| English | interface and content |
| Additional languages | 5 |
| Privacy classification | GDPR / EU |
| Data processing agreement | Corporate clients can enter into individual service agreements and DPAs for hosted services. |
Alternatives to Polis (pol.is)
- FiscalNote — Paid · HQ: Washington, D.C., United States · US Cloud
- Ground News — Freemium · HQ: Kitchener, Canada · GDPR / EU
- Quorum — Paid · HQ: Washington, United States · GDPR / EU
Still unsure? The AI Tool Finder shows you alternatives.