Collective intelligence is right on trend at the moment and I am not the biggest fan of the concept. But can artificial intelligence define the conditions under which collective intelligence can override group stupidity?

Let's say you were the emperor of a complicated country prone to bloody revolutions, as  was Napoleon in France.

Of course you would want to know what's in the hearts and minds of the rabble thronging the streets which in some circumstances could be a question of survival. Today that could be called public opinion. At those days, people were reluctant to reveal their secret desires and yearnings in their social networks which today, thank the Lord, allow mind control in real time.

You have two solutions to know public opinion....