Conversation Types in Facilitation
Understanding the different types of structured conversations helps select appropriate facilitation methods.
Three Primary Types
Based on research from Google Jigsaw and the AI Facilitation seminar series, structured conversations can be categorized into three primary types:
1. Deliberative Conversations
Purpose: Collective decision-making, weighing options, building consensus
Characteristics:
- Focused on a specific decision or question
- Participants represent different viewpoints
- Goal is agreement or informed decision
- Often involves voting or preference aggregation
Example Methods:
- Delphi Method
- Cross-Pollination
- Consensus Workshop
- Citizens’ Assembly
AI Suitability: High for information gathering and synthesis; human oversight needed for final decisions
2. Generative Conversations
Purpose: Ideation, creativity, producing new possibilities
Characteristics:
- Open-ended exploration
- Divergent thinking encouraged
- Quantity valued over immediate quality
- Building on others’ ideas
Example Methods:
- Six Thinking Hats
- Brainstorming
- Design Thinking workshops
- Retrospectives
AI Suitability: Medium; AI can prompt and organize but human creativity remains central
3. Transformative Conversations
Purpose: Conflict resolution, perspective shifts, relationship repair
Characteristics:
- Emotional processing involved
- Identity and values at stake
- Deep listening required
- Focus on understanding over agreement
Example Methods:
- Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
- Restorative Justice circles
- Mediation
- Dynamic Facilitation
AI Suitability: Low; human empathy and presence crucial
Implications for AI Facilitation
What AI Does Well
- Structured information gathering
- Synthesis and summarization
- Pattern recognition across many inputs
- Consistent application of methodology
- Scaling to large groups asynchronously
What Requires Human Facilitation
- Reading emotional undercurrents
- Navigating power dynamics in real-time
- Building trust and psychological safety
- Handling unexpected conflicts
- Making judgment calls on process
Hybrid Approaches
The most promising applications combine AI and human facilitation:
- AI for scale: Gather inputs from many participants via one-to-one AI conversations
- Human for depth: Facilitate key moments requiring judgment and empathy
- AI for synthesis: Aggregate and present findings
- Human for decisions: Guide final decision-making
Choosing the Right Type
| Situation | Recommended Type |
|---|---|
| Need to make a group decision | Deliberative |
| Need new ideas or solutions | Generative |
| Conflict or damaged relationships | Transformative |
| Complex problem with multiple aspects | Combination |
References
- Jigsaw AI Facilitation research report
- OFL AI Facilitation Seminar series
- Martin Carcasson on deliberative facilitation