Socio-technical systems increasingly involve the convergence of human intelligence (natural life, or NLife) with artificial intelligence (ALife) in co-existence, co-production and co-evolution. This raises the possibility of an inequitable distribution of power , either by exacerbating existing asymmetric power relationships or an unwitting concession of power from NLife to ALife. In this paper, we investigate power-sensitive design, an instance of value-sensitive design, as a conceptual model for empowering NLife communities with ALife capabilities. We define “empowerment” in five cognitive dimensions, relate this definition to four higher-order cybernetic design patterns, and apply these patterns to four case studies. We conclude with a discussion of the social implications, in particular the empowerment of communities through the embodiment of communality .