DC Mixer Event: Digital Void - Our Connected Future Summary

On March 24th, All Tech Is Human traveled to Washington, D.C. for Digital Void’s inaugural Our Connected Future at Union Stage. We were thrilled to connect with familiar and new faces of our community. It was wonderful to chat with people from New America, Anti-Defamation League, Trust & Safety Professional Association, New_ Public, Accountable Tech, Integrity Institute, Ofcom, The News Literacy Project, The Aspen Institute, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Tech & Society at Georgetown, and more!

The event kicked off with a few representatives introducing their organizations:

Digital Void (@digivoidmedia)

“Digital Void is an educational multimedia project focused on how new and digital media affect humans. We produce live events, seminars, workshops, and podcasts all aimed at bridging the gap in common understanding of digital culture, media, and technology. On the internet, we're all connected. It's time to start acting like it.” digitalvoid.media/ 

RESOURCE(S): Podcast

The News Literacy Project (NLP) (@NewsLitProject)

“NLP, a nonpartisan national education nonprofit, provides programs and resources for educators and the public to teach, learn and share the abilities needed to be smart, active consumers of news and information and equal and engaged participants in a democracy.” newslit.org/ 

Civil Rights Corps (@CivRightsCorps) 

“Civil Rights Corps (CRC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to challenging systemic injustice  in the United States’ legal system, a system that is built on white supremacy and economic inequality. We work to shift power to community-led movements, particularly those led by Black, Brown and poor people who are most affected by this legal system, so they can build sufficient power to create structural change.” civilrightscorps.org/

Accountable Tech (@accountabletech)

“Social media giants are eroding our consensus reality and pushing democracy to the brink. Accountable Tech is fighting back.”

RESOURCE(S): Campaigns

UltraViolet (@UltraViolet) 

“UltraViolet is a powerful and rapidly growing community of people mobilized to fight sexism and create a more inclusive world that accurately represents all women, from politics and government to media and pop culture.” weareultraviolet.org/ 

RESOURCE(S): Campaigns

Later in the evening, the founder of All Tech Is Human, David Ryan Polgar, moderated a panel with:

• B Cavello, Aspen Institute Director of Emerging Technologies

• Cori Zarek, Executive Director of Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation

• Afua Bruce, Author of The Tech That Comes Next

The following represents a couple of questions asked throughout the panel discussion:

Question: How can we create and improve systems and processes to bring more voices into Public Interest Technology (PIT)?

Bruce started off answering the question by identifying three points. First, to be more transparent on job postings and where they’re located to ensure these opportunities are available to marginalized communities. Second, to pay people for their work and lastly, to define the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. Mentorship does not necessarily equate to sponsorship. Bruce emphasized the importance of supporting marginalized populations for success and mobility within the field.

Zarek agreed with Bruce and added it is important to have a plan that includes going directly into the communities to learn about their needs and then, provide resources, support, and financial compensations.

Cavello wrapped up answering the question by noting the importance of recognizing the people who are interested in improving these issues and honoring the expertise that may not be supported by an education degree. It also includes understanding the social and cultural context of a problem. Cavello’s final point was to view opportunities as a learning opportunity and to provide tech mentorship, not a favor.

Question: What does a better tech future look like?

Bruce began with a better tech future is more diverse; includes black and brown people at the table and being compensated for their work; and finally, people are empowered, connected, and are able to do the work they want to see in their lives.

Zarek built onto Bruce’s answer by including that we do not have to think about technology and how it impacts our lives, but rather focus and thrive in the non-tech related things we care about, such as family and friends.

Lastly, Cavello adds that we should stop thinking about technology separately from everything going on. We have to acknowledge its existence and presence in society. Additionally, we need to look at technology through a disability and justice lens and recognize that what one person’s needs might not match another person's needs.

We are thankful for everyone who was able to attend! For those unable to make it, stay tuned as we plan to return in early May for another in-person mixer event!