Written by Georgina Denis, CEO
Unlikely Collaborations: The Anomaly in Collective Intelligence
Collective intelligence fascinates me because it represents the ultimate collision between the unexpected and the profoundly useful—an “anomaly plus benefit.” At its core, collective intelligence is about people coming together, often through technology, to solve problems in ways no single individual could. What makes collective intelligence particularly potent is its democratic essence. By encouraging more people to engage in problem-solving, CI fosters inclusivity and can redistribute decision-making authority. It’s not just about gathering data; it's about ensuring that a wide range of voices contribute to understanding and addressing societal challenges. This decentralised approach has been instrumental in addressing issues such as climate action, public health, and social equity, harnessing both human input and advanced data analytics to achieve superior outcomes.
What makes me curious is that while many assume solutions come from lone geniuses, collective intelligence shows that breakthroughs often arise from unlikely collaborations. The anomaly here is the sheer unpredictability of where the next great idea will emerge—from an online forum, a crowdsourced science project, or a global network of citizen scientists. The benefit? A treasure trove of diverse perspectives, knowledge, and data all working together, creating solutions that are both creative and scalable.
My curiosity is continually sparked by how collective intelligence doesn’t just solve problems—it uncovers new questions we didn’t even know we had. This happens when diverse groups collaborate, revealing anomalies that, on their own, might be overlooked. I see this with my company, where we harness the collective wisdom of groups to tackle complex societal challenges. Whether it's understanding public opinion through crowdsourced data or solving logistical issues with insights from diverse stakeholders, the magic lies in the unexpected patterns we uncover. These anomalies—new insights, strange connections—don’t just provide answers; they push us to ask even bigger questions, fueling a cycle of curiosity and discovery that drives us forward.
What drives both me and my company is this ongoing dance between anomaly and benefit. The ability of collective intelligence to tap into this dynamic excites me because it shows how much potential there is in what we don’t know yet. It's in the surprises—the anomalies—that collective intelligence becomes powerful. Each new insight or unconventional solution propels us forward, always seeking the next anomaly to unravel. It’s this perpetual curiosity, combined with the undeniable benefits we’ve seen from using collective intelligence, that keeps us reaching for new ways to solve society's big problems.
Collective Bias: The Other Side of Collective Intelligence
While collective intelligence brings incredible opportunities, we must also be cautious of what I call "collective bias." This arises when the same dynamics that drive collaboration and productive solutions shift towards groupthink or misinformation. Collective bias happens when group discussions become dominated by conformity, suppressing diverse perspectives. The anomaly here is the shift from rational group problem-solving to a collective focus on a single, often flawed perspective. The potential threat is clear—decisions that are swayed by this bias can lead to misinformed conclusions, polarising communities or deepening existing divisions.
What makes collective bias particularly concerning is its subtlety. Groups don't always realise they are entering dangerous territory because the early signs often look like collective intelligence at work. A shared belief gains momentum, anomalies are ignored, and before long, the group starts to act irrationally, convinced they are on the right path. History has shown this pattern in financial bubbles, political movements, and even in smaller-scale group decision-making scenarios where the loudest voices drown out reason. The anomaly is that groups meant to create value can fall victim to echo chambers, exacerbating misinformation or blind spots, which then pose a threat to the individuals involved and society at large.
The potential threat is not just theoretical—it plays out in real-world consequences. Misinformation campaigns, mass panic during crises, and financial crashes like the dot-com bubble or the 2008 financial crisis all reveal the destructive potential of collective madness. What drives me to remain cautious is this recognition: as powerful as collective intelligence can be, we must always be vigilant for the anomalies that signal we are slipping into collective madness. My company navigates this fine line by staying curious but also cautious, always aware of the potential threats that emerge when collective dynamics go awry. We recognise that collective wisdom and collective madness are two sides of the same coin, and it’s our responsibility to guard against the latter.
How Technology Can Help Nudge Us Towards Collective Intelligence.
PSi, or People Supported Intelligence, is designed to harness collective intelligence by gathering insights from large groups of people through voice-led conversations. As a collective intelligence platform, PSi facilitates real-time discussions, ensuring that every participant can contribute meaningfully. The technology transforms these spoken conversations into actionable data at unprecedented speed, allowing leaders and decision-makers to gather diverse perspectives efficiently. Using natural language processing and AI to analyse conversations, PSi ensures that decision-making is backed by comprehensive input from various stakeholders. This makes it a powerful tool for organisations looking to understand complex issues quickly and inclusively.
What sets PSi apart is its ability to neutralise common social biases like groupthink or the dominance of the loudest voices. The platform’s design ensures that each person’s input is heard equally, removing the risks of one or two people steering the conversation. This is achieved by structuring discussions so that participants respond independently before engaging in group dialogue, reducing the influence of social hierarchies. By focusing on the content of the conversation rather than who speaks first or loudest, PSi levels the playing field, leading to decisions that reflect the true diversity of opinions.
Moreover, the way PSi facilitates conversations encourages deeper reflection and thought. The platform’s structure invites participants to think critically, surfacing anomalies or unique insights that might otherwise be overlooked. This approach captures a wide range of perspectives and ensures that decisions are reached after thorough consideration. By doing so, PSi ensures that the collective wisdom of the group remains true to its purpose: solving complex problems with the full range of human perspectives.
