Bridging the Gap Between Technology and the Public Good
As a seasoned IT professional, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of technology in shaping our world. From the early days of personal computing to the advent of the internet and the rise of artificial intelligence, the pace of technological innovation has been breathtaking. However, this progress has not always been equitable or inclusive, with many communities being left behind or even harmed by the unintended consequences of technological advancements.
Enter the field of public interest technology (PIT), a cross-disciplinary approach that demands technology be designed, deployed, and regulated in a responsible and equitable way – in service of the public good. As the world grapples with complex challenges, from climate change to social injustice, the role of universities as innovation incubators in this emerging field has become increasingly crucial.
Cultivating a New Generation of Public Interest Technologists
Universities are the cornerstone of knowledge creation and dissemination, and they have a unique opportunity to shape the future of technology by training the next generation of public interest technologists. By integrating PIT programs into their curricula, academic institutions can ensure that technologists graduate with not only the technical expertise but also the interdisciplinary wisdom necessary to build technology that anticipates and mitigates harms, while materially improving people’s lives.
One such exemplary model is the Public Interest Tech University Network, which includes 49 member colleges and universities and eight international affiliates committed to promoting experiential learning opportunities, increasing faculty support, and building PIT initiatives and research. These programs challenge students to implement scientific experiments that document unexpected and unforeseen adverse consequences of technology on society, equipping them with the skills and mindset to tackle complex, real-world problems.
At the Public Interest Tech Lab at Harvard University, for instance, students have presented projects ranging from price discrimination for online tutoring services to racial bias in online services. The insights from these student-led projects have helped ignite new public protections, modified regulations, and changed business practices at big tech companies, laying the foundation for a more just digital reality.
Bridging the Gap Between Academia, Industry, and Civil Society
While universities play a crucial role in cultivating the next generation of public interest technologists, the responsibility of building a more equitable and responsible technology ecosystem extends far beyond the ivory tower. Collaboration across sectors is essential to address the multifaceted challenges posed by technology’s pervasive influence.
In the private sector, leading companies are recognizing the need to partner with cross-disciplinary public interest technology experts to understand and mitigate the adverse consequences of their technologies. Airbnb, for example, has reinvented its booking procedure and updated its nondiscrimination policy after documenting that hosts of Asian origin were making up to 20% less than their white counterparts in some locations. By working with civil rights organizations, the company has created Project Lighthouse, a US-based initiative to help Airbnb collect and understand data on racial discrimination on its platform and inform future policies and features to overcome it.
Similarly, civil society organizations are striving to hold governments and tech giants accountable, but often lack the technological expertise to scale their efforts effectively. Initiatives like the Ford Foundation’s investment in the Civil Rights Privacy and Technology Table, a 10-year coalition of more than 30 organizations, have demonstrated the power of collaboration between civil rights and technology experts. Through their work, the coalition has successfully advocated for Google to ban advertisements for predatory payday loans and persuaded the Federal Communications Commission to limit the exorbitant cost of phone calls made from prison, as well as expand subsidized phone plans for lower-income Americans to include broadband internet access.
Strengthening Governmental Involvement in Public Interest Tech
The government’s role in regulating technology and harnessing its potential for the public good cannot be overstated. Yet, without technological expertise, including a broad understanding of technology’s potential harms, the government is often ill-equipped to properly oversee the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The Biden administration has taken a welcome first step in addressing this gap by hiring public interest technologist Alondra Nelson to serve as the deputy director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Promising signs are also emerging at the state level, with initiatives like the U.S. Digital Response – a network of 6,000 pro bono scientists and researchers who have helped state governments develop COVID-19 responses, including establishing online data dashboards to track hospital resources and restoring the Department of Labor’s website service.
These efforts have saved lives, and with additional funding and formalization at the federal level, such initiatives can create a more robust, transparent PIT infrastructure that sets a new global standard for responsible technology governance.
Forging a Collaborative Path Forward
As the world grapples with the far-reaching implications of technology, the need for a holistic, cross-sector approach to public interest technology has never been more pressing. Universities, as innovation incubators, must continue to lead the charge in cultivating a new generation of public interest technologists, equipped with the skills and mindset to build a more equitable and responsible technological future.
At the same time, private sector companies, civil society organizations, and government agencies must come together to tackle the complex challenges posed by technology’s pervasive influence. By bridging the gap between these diverse stakeholders, we can harness the power of technology to truly serve the public good, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
The road ahead may be steep, but the stakes are high, and the potential rewards are immeasurable. It is time to invest in this movement, support the growth of public interest technology, and forge a collaborative path towards a better, more inclusive technological future for all.
Embracing the Power of Collaboration
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, the role of universities as innovation incubators in public interest technology cannot be overstated. By cultivating a new generation of public interest technologists, these academic institutions are laying the foundation for a more equitable and responsible technological future.
However, the responsibility of building this future extends far beyond the ivory tower. Collaboration across sectors, from the private industry to civil society and government, is essential to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by technology’s pervasive influence.
Private sector companies are recognizing the need to partner with cross-disciplinary public interest technology experts to understand and mitigate the adverse consequences of their innovations. Initiatives like Airbnb’s Project Lighthouse demonstrate the power of this collaboration, leading to tangible changes in business practices and policies to combat discrimination.
Similarly, civil society organizations are leveraging their expertise in social justice and human rights to hold tech giants and governments accountable, but often lack the technological know-how to scale their efforts effectively. Initiatives like the Ford Foundation’s investment in the Civil Rights Privacy and Technology Table have shown the transformative impact that can arise from bridging the divide between civil rights and digital rights advocates.
At the governmental level, the need for technological expertise and a deeper understanding of technology’s potential harms is paramount. The Biden administration’s appointment of public interest technologist Alondra Nelson to a key White House position, and the emergence of state-level initiatives like the U.S. Digital Response, offer promising signs of progress.
Ultimately, the path forward requires a collaborative, cross-sector approach that harnesses the strengths and perspectives of universities, industry, civil society, and government. By working together, we can forge a more equitable and responsible technological future, one that truly serves the public good.
As an experienced IT professional, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of technology, but also its potential for harm. The field of public interest technology offers a holistic solution, and universities must continue to lead the way as innovation incubators, training the next generation of technologists to build a better, more inclusive digital world.
Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to the public good, we can ensure that the benefits of technology are shared by all, and that no one is left behind in the digital revolution. The road ahead may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable, and the time to act is now.
