20 Organizations Talking About Tech Policy

Tech policy is an ongoing discussion as people’s privacy, safety, and identity are vulnerable in digital spaces across the globe. It is important to center people, lived experiences, and cultural context in developing tech policy to prevent potential harm, mitigate conflict, and to ensure safeguards for vulnerable populations. 

Here are 20 organizations addressing technology policy, which includes a range of fields, like human rights, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more!

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (@ACLU) “The ACLU is an non-profit, non-partisan organization of people who believe in the power of action. We are united by the quest – “We the people dare to create a more perfect union.” Whether in the courts, statehouses, Congress or communities, we fight to defend the rights that the Constitution guarantees to all of us —regardless of who we are, where we come from, whom we love, or what we believe. Together, we take up the toughest civil rights and liberties challenges of our time. We seek to inspire those who want change to become the ones who make change.”

RESOURCE(S): Privacy & Technology

AI Policy Exchange

AI Policy Exchange (@aipolex) “AI Policy Exchange is an international cooperative association of individuals and institutions working at the intersection of AI and public policy. The association operates independently and on a non-profit basis with its day-to-day affairs managed by the AI Policy Exchange Secretariat, based out of New Delhi, India anchoring its Editorial and Research Networks to produce deliverables that can create an AI-literate society and inform better AI policies.” aipolicyexchange.org/

RESOURCE(S):Why you should be at the center of machine learning policies, ethics & responsible development

Alliance for Congress

Alliance for Congress (@allforcongress) “The Alliance for Congress looks beyond the politics of the moment toward a time when the nation is more well-served and more represented by a Congress that solves critical problems and addresses public concerns.” allianceforcongress.org/

RESOURCE(S): Research & Resources

Amnesty Tech, Amnesty International

Amnesty Tech, Amnesty International @AmnestyTech) (@amnesty)“Amnesty Tech is a global collective of advocates, hackers, researchers and technologists. We aim to: Bolster social movements in an age of surveillance; Challenge the systemic threat to our rights posed by the surveillance-based business model of the big tech companies; Ensure accountability in the design and use of new and frontier technologies; Encourage innovative uses of technology to help support our fundamental rights.”

RESOURCE(S): Disrupting Surveillance, Big Data and AI, Censorship

Aspen Digital, The Aspen Institute

Aspen Digital, The Aspen Institute (@AspenDigital) (@AspenInstitute) “Aspen Digital empowers policy-makers, civic organizations, companies, and the public to be responsible stewards of technology and media in the service of an informed, just, and equitable world.” aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspendigital/

Aspen Tech Policy Hub, The Aspen Institute

Aspen Tech Policy Hub, The Aspen Institute (@AspenPolicyHub) (@AspenInstitute) “The Aspen Tech Policy Hub is a West Coast policy incubator, training a new generation of policy entrepreneurs. Modeled after tech incubators like Y Combinator, we take STEM experts, teach them the policy process through fellowship and executive education programs, and encourage them to develop outside-the-box solutions to society’s problems.” aspentechpolicyhub.org/

RESOURCE(S): Policy 101s: Brief Overviews of Key Tech Policy Issues

TheBridge

TheBridge (@TheBridgeWork) “TheBridge, a non-partisan organization breaking down silos and connecting professionals across technology, policy and politics — building stronger, more collaborative relationships.” thebridgework.com/

RESOURCE(S): TheBridge Job Board

Center for AI and Digital Policy

Center for AI and Digital Policy (@theCAIDP) “The Center for AI and Digital Policy aims to promote a better society, more fair, more just — a world where technology promotes broad social inclusion based on fundamental rights, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.” caidp.org/ 

RESOURCE(S):Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index

Center for Democracy and Technology

Center for Democracy and Technology (@CenDemTech) “The Center for Democracy & Technology. Shaping tech policy & architecture, with a focus on the rights of the individual...Our team of experts includes lawyers, technologists, academics, and analysts, bringing diverse perspectives to all of our efforts.” cdt.org

RESOURCE(S): Tech Policy for Startups, Equity in Civic Technology, Free Expression

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Center for Strategic and International Studies (@CSIS) “The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges.” csis.org

RESOURCE(S): Cybersecurity and Technology

Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings

Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings (@BrookingInst) “Founded in 2010 and led by Director Nicol Turner Lee, the Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) at Brookings focuses on delivering research that affects public debate and policymaking in the arena of U.S. and global technology innovation. Our research centers on identifying and analyzing key developments to increase innovation; developing and publicizing best practices to relevant stakeholders; briefing policymakers about actions needed to improve innovation; and enhancing the public and media’s understanding of technology innovation.” brookings.edu/about-the-center-for-technology-innovation/

RESOURCE(S): “TechTank focuses on new developments in science and technology policy and how they affect health care, education, economic development, innovation, and governance. Our goals are to highlight new data and ideas, and provide commentary on science and technology trends in the United States and around the world.”

Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFT)

Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFT) (@GIFCT_official) “The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) is an NGO designed to prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms. Founded by Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and YouTube in 2017, the Forum was established to foster technical collaboration among member companies, advance relevant research, and share knowledge with smaller platforms. Since 2017, GIFCT’s membership has expanded beyond the founding companies to include over a dozen diverse platforms committed to cross-industry efforts to counter the spread of terrorist and violent extremist content online.”

RESOURCE(S): Campaign Toolkit, Content Incidental Protocol

Pew Research Center, Internet & Technology

Pew Research Center, Internet & Technology (@pewresearch) (@pewinternet) “Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions.” pewresearch.org/topic/internet-technology/ 

RESOURCE(S): Technology Policy Issues, The Future of Digital Spaces and Their Role in Democracy

New America

New America (@NewAmerica) “We are dedicated to renewing America by continuing the quest to realize our nation's highest ideals, confronting the challenges caused by rapid technological and social change, and seizing the opportunities those changes create.”

RESOURCE(S): Public Interest Technology (PIT), Open Technology Institute

Pollicy

Pollicy (@PollicyOrg) “Pollicy believes in the power of data to revolutionize how governments deliver services to their citizens. We aim to digitally transform government services across Africa through an information-centric approach and craft better life experiences by harnessing improved data. Pollicy provides design consulting to re-engineer civic engagement and participatory processes, technology solutions for for communication, digital data collection and crowdfunding, and research services to better understand what works within each local context. Through new technologies, we plan to bridge data gaps from grassroot level all the way up to national level. Our passion is focused on influencing a culture of data use, promoting the use of shared data platforms, building analytical capacity and advocating for improved data usage amongst political candidates, civil society organizations, non-governmental organization and government.” pollicy.org/

RESOURCE(S): Amplified Abuse Report Summary, Exploring the Future of Data Governance in Africa, Inclusion, Not Just an Add-On toolkit

PIT Policy Lab

PIT Policy Lab (@PitPolicy)“We enable cross-sector collaborations towards an understanding of Public Interest Technology through practical research, policy insights, and the drafting of proofs of concept in the field.”

RESOURCE(S): Publications 

Policy Monks

Policy Monks (@PolicyMonks) “Policy Monks is a public policy research and advocacy organisation working at the intersection of technology, policy and development. We work with governments and businesses to navigate and influence public policy at all levels.”

RESOURCE(S): Blog

The Public Voice

The Public Voice (@thepublicvoice) “The Public Voice coalition was established in 1996 to promote public participation in decisions concerning the future of the Internet. The Public Voice has pursued issues ranging from privacy and freedom of expression to consumer protection and Internet governance.”

RESOURCE(S): Policy Brief on Examining the Draft Regulatory Framework for Non-Personal Data in India, Policy Brief on Understanding Covid-19 Response Dynamics: Perspectives for Africa

Responsible AI Institute (RAII)

Responsible AI Institute (RAII) (@ResponsibleAI) “RAII is a non-profit organization building tangible governance tools for trustworthy, safe, and fair Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through a first-of-its-kind certification system that qualifies AI systems, we support practitioners as they navigate the complex landscape of creating Responsible AI. Feedback generated from these systems will in turn inform AI policymakers, enabling technologies that improve the social and economic well-being of society. RAII brings extensive experience in responsible AI policy and is uniquely positioned to partner with organizations across public and private sectors to guide and inform responsible AI governance around the world.” responsible.ai/

RESOURCE(S): Programs & Tools

TechCongress (@congressfellows) 

TechCongress (@congressfellows) “We place computer scientists, engineers, and other technologists to serve as technology policy advisors to Members of Congress through the Congressional Innovation Fellowship, the Congressional Innovation Scholars program, and the Congressional Digital Service Fellowship. We bridge the divide of knowledge and experience between DC and Silicon Valley for better outcomes for both.”

RESOURCE(S): Policy Opportunities