Center for Humane Technology

Center for Humane Technology. It is a nonprofit advocacy and research organization dedicated to addressing the societal harms caused by persuasive technology and Social media platforms. Founded by former technology insiders, the group argues that the current Attention economy exploits human psychology, contributing to issues like Political polarization, Mental health crises, and the spread of Misinformation. The organization works to realign technology with humanity's best interests through research, public advocacy, and direct engagement with policymakers and industry leaders.

History and founding

The organization was co-founded in 2018 by former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris and entrepreneur Aza Raskin, who previously worked at Mozilla. Its creation was heavily influenced by Harris's widely viewed 2017 TED talk and the seminal essay "A Call to Minimize Distraction & Respect Users’ Attention." The founding team included several veterans of major Silicon Valley firms like Facebook and Apple, who brought firsthand experience with the design of addictive platforms. The launch coincided with growing public and legislative scrutiny of companies like Facebook following events such as the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal and concerns over Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.

Mission and principles

The core mission is to drive a comprehensive shift away from extractive Attention economy models toward technology that protects human well-being and democratic discourse. Its principles are outlined in resources like the "Ledger of Harms," which documents the negative externalities of current technology design. Key tenets include aligning technology with humanity's deepest values, moving beyond engagement-based metrics, and protecting society from Artificial intelligence risks and Surveillance capitalism. The organization advocates for new design paradigms that foster Digital well-being, strengthen Social cohesion, and support informed Civic engagement.

Key initiatives and projects

A major initiative is the "Your Undivided Attention" podcast, co-hosted by Harris and Raskin, which features discussions with experts like Shoshana Zuboff and Jonathan Haidt. The organization produces extensive educational resources, including presentations for governments and school districts, and its team has testified before the United States Congress and advised the White House. A significant project is the "Truth, Trust, and Tech" initiative, developed in partnership with the MIT Media Lab and the Harvard Kennedy School, which proposes policy solutions to combat Misinformation. It also launched the "Humane Tech Community," a global network for technologists, and actively collaborates with entities like the World Health Organization on issues of Mental health.

Criticism and public reception

While praised by figures like Tim Berners-Lee and garnering significant media coverage in outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic, the organization has faced some criticism. Some commentators from the Technology journalism sector argue its warnings are overly alarmist or that its solutions are too vague to implement within current capitalist structures. Others have questioned the efficacy of its advocacy, given the continued dominance and growth of major Social media companies. Nonetheless, its framing of technology ethics has profoundly influenced global discourse, inspiring legislative actions like the Age Appropriate Design Code in the United Kingdom and proposed reforms in the European Union's Digital Services Act.

Leadership and organization

The leadership is anchored by co-founders and co-presidents Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin. The board of directors includes notable figures such as investor Roger McNamee, an early critic of Facebook, and Randy Fernando, former executive director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. The organization operates as a remote-first team based in the San Francisco Bay Area, employing experts in fields like Behavioral science, Public policy, and Product design. It is funded through a mix of philanthropic donations from individuals and foundations, including the Knight Foundation and the Omidyar Network.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in California Category:Technology advocacy groups Category:Organizations established in 2018