The Voicebot is a writing robot, connected to the internet, that seeks to deal with issues of democratic deficit and political disengagement. Commissioned by v, the brief was to create positive perceptions of young people and get their voices heard. Using The Voicebot, young people can tell us what they care about, and their messages will be written out, word by word, in real time, ultimately inside the UK Parliament.

The resulting messages will be read by Westminster’s politicians and policy-makers, creating an open, direct channel of communication between Britain’s youth and government, without interference or reinterpretation from third parties.

The project examines a number of themes that we are interested in. It explores how the physical internet can be used to re-connect the public with those who govern us. It provides a voice for an under-represented segment of the population. It questions traditional power relationships in a digital age, where the many can speak directly unmediated to the ruling elite. It uses the internet to create playful ways to encourage young people to make themselves heard.

Most of all, we and v, the National Young Volunteers Service intend The Voicebot to be a source of optimism. Instead of sitting around complaining that young people are lazy and apathetic, our approach is to develop tools that make it easier, more powerful and more exciting for them to express their views and get involved. Writing a letter to your MP has never been so much fun. Have a go now.

Read interview on Wired online, listen to Parliament podcast and our blog posts here and here.