Technology and Public Purpose

Technology has reached a critical juncture in American society. The unfettered optimism of recent decades is now tempered by rising concerns over privacy and security, the impact of disinformation campaigns, and increasing calls for digital accountability. It is clear that the 116th Congress will face pressure to shape technological innovation through policies that protect and serve the best interests of their various constituents.

In a JFK Jr. Forum conversation with Belfer Center Director Ash Carter on tech issues, Recode Editor-at-Large Kara Swisher underscored the need to consider possible negative as well as positive impacts when technologies are first being developed. Using social media as an example, Swisher said at Tuesday’s forum it is deeply problematic that we have allowed private tech companies to become society’s public square, and now rely on these platforms for everything from general discourse to news. 

Hosted by the Belfer Center, Swisher participated in a number of events at Harvard Kennedy School on Tuesday, April 23.

This pre-session briefing document for the Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group provides background information on the subject of potential global norms for emerging technologies; identifies current controversies, debates, and/or outstanding questions about the subject; poses discussion questions; and recommends relevant readings.

Technology has reached a critical juncture in American society. The unfettered optimism of recent decades is now tempered through rising concerns over privacy and security, the impact of disinformation campaigns, and increasing calls for digital accountability. It is clear that the 116^th Congress will face pressure to shape technological innovation through policies that protect and serve the best interests of their constituents. 

This pre-session briefing document for the Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group provides background information on the subject of intellectual property sharing around emerging technology; identifies current controversies, debates, and/or outstanding questions about the subject; poses discussion questions; and recommends relevant readings.

This pre-session briefing document for the Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group provides background information on the subject of venture capital investment in emerging technologies; identifies current controversies, debates, and/or outstanding questions about the subject; poses discussion questions; and recommends relevant readings.

This pre-session briefing document for the Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group provides background information on the subject of OTA and other mechanisms to help Congress effectively respond to emerging technologies; identifies current controversies, debates, and/or outstanding questions about the subject; poses discussion questions; and recommends relevant readings.