Technology and Public Purpose

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become flashpoints for what ails democracy. But what if the technologies that power public discourse could serve society’s best interests instead of undermining them? Join William Powers, CEO of Public Mind, best-selling author, and former Washington Post columnist, in conversation with Bina Venkataraman, editor-at-large for The Boston Globe and fellow in the Technology and Public Purpose Program at Belfer, for an in-person discussion on inventing a new future for social media.

RSVP is required. Light refreshments will be served.

Join Belfer Center's Technology and Public Purpose Project for a timely study group: "Policy for the Endless Frontier: Origins and Ambitions of The CHIPS and Science Act." 

This six-session series, conducted by Doug Calidas, Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, will explore the origins of The CHIPS and Science Act, focusing on the competing policy priorities its authors sought to advance. It will also dive into long-term impact of the law and a discussion of possible actions that future congresses may consider taking to advance American leadership in high-tech manufacturing and scientific research.

The study group will meet every Thursday from 5:00 - 6:00pm ET from October 6 - November 10, 2022. The first session will be conducted in person, with following sessions conducted remotely. More details to be confirmed with registered participants.

Registration is required to attend the study group; see details below. You must be a Harvard affiliate to attend.

The Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group, hosted by former Secretary of Defense and Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center Director Ash Carter and Harvard SEAS Dean Frank Doyle, will convene its third and final session of the spring semester on the topic of increasing STEM expertise in the federal government. The session will examine the problem with insufficient scientific and technological expertise in the American federal legislative and executive branches, the types of expertise each body needs to be effective, and potential solutions to mitigate the problem.

The Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group, hosted by former Secretary of Defense and Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center Director Ash Carter and Harvard SEAS Dean Frank Doyle, will convene its fourth and final session of the fall semester on the topic of life extension technologies. The session will examine current applications, capabilities, limitations, and ongoing debates regarding acceptable use, regulation, and governance of the technology.

The Boston Tech Hub Faculty Working Group, hosted by former Secretary of Defense and Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center Director Ash Carter and Harvard SEAS Dean Frank Doyle, will convene its third session of the fall semester on the topic of gene drives. The session will examine current applications, capabilities, limitations, and ongoing debates regarding acceptable use, regulation, and governance of the technology.

Join the tech projects and programs at the Belfer Center on Wednesday, September 25th from 4:30-6:30pm at Beat Brew Hall for informal networking and the opportunity to learn more about our work and how you can get involved!

**RSVP Required**