We are a coalition of neighbors, designers, media makers, and urban mechanics. Our project builds open-source digital infrastructure that allows communities to govern their own data, use AI for public good, and reclaim the future of their communities from big tech monopolies.
We believe true freedom is not just escaping or avoiding oppression - it is building a world without it. This site has some of our early attempts at building things for a more caring, accessible, and creative democracy. This is just one beginning. There are so many more.
Digital public works that respect your privacy. Just as we build roads and libraries for the public good, we are building the digital layer of the city to be open, accessible, and owned by the people.
Principles that guide every line of code we write.
We prioritize locally-run LLMs over frontier models to reduce carbon footprint and environmental impact.
No black boxes. Anyone can audit our code. Trust is earned through transparency.
AI should serve to amplify human connection and civic action, not replace it.
We believe neighborhoods should own their digital data just as they own their physical spaces.
We design for disabilities and language barriers first, ensuring no neighbor is left behind.
We build lightweight, resilient tools that run on old hardware and don't require expensive upgrades.
We apply the speed of modern software development to slow-moving civic problems. By deploying micro-apps for specific neighborhood needs, we can iterate faster than bureaucracy allows, while maintaining the safety and inclusivity required for public life.
Learn More About Our MethodsCorporate AI extracts value; Community AI creates value. We analyze public data at the scale of a government to empower the individual.
We build with Open Source models that can be audited by anyone. We prioritize Local-First deployment. Low cost, high privacy.
Our goal isn't just "smarter" cities, but stronger citizens. Reducing tedious admin so volunteers can focus on action.
A collaboration between public media makers and creative technologists.
The R&D lab for creative technologist and community media hooligan Stephen Walter.
Nonprofit community media center & civic hub located in Brookline, MA.
Local data models & policy experts based in Boston & New York.
Deconstruct this site or build something new.