Omidyar Network

In our latest blog, CEO Michael Kubzansky previews our strategy for the next five years. ?? We have an extraordinary, time-limited opportunity to help shape our digital future in service of our shared humanity. To meet this moment, Omidyar Network is changing in strategic ways. Over the next six months, we will evolve our focus to respond to the rapid pace and scale of the newest digital technologies quickly transforming society. We're moving from a three-pronged approach encompassing technology, the economy, and belonging to a laser-focused lens on technology's role in society. Read the blog to learn more about our renewed focus on bending the arc of the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity, and possibility?? https://lnkd.in/ga4WZJb4

What a pleasure to join this AI & work discussion, led by Omidyar Network's brilliant Michele Lawrence Jawando, at NationSwell last week. Michele captured the spirit of our conversation perfectly when she quipped, "Humans first, technology second." I especially enjoyed the chance to hear from fellow panelists Carri Twigg, Nicole Johnson and USTR Katherine Tai, in what was our all-female AI panel. Nicole highlighted her efforts to bring more women into the AI workforce and Carri discussed why it is so important we invest in shaping our culture to make the kind of pro-human and pro-worker AI we want to see possible. In my remarks, I shared the importance of workers shaping the trajectory of AI and its design and deployment: “What gives me hope is that when workers are at the heart of our design of this technology and the decisions around deployment, this is not only good for society and workers, but there’s a lot of evidence that it’s good for employers, too. Workers are assets. They’re experts. They often know their space the best. AI is not something that’s top-down.” Enormous thanks to Michele Lawrence Jawando Jamaal Glenn Anamitra Deb Corey S. Williams-Allen Greg Behrman and the whole team at NationSwell.

"Humans first, technology second." ?? ?? Last week, our colleague Michele Lawrence Jawando moderated a NationSwell Summit panel featuring US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Carri Twigg (Culture House Media), Molly Kinder (The Brookings Institution), and Nicole Johnson (Cadence Design Systems). The discussion explored how AI can benefit everyone in the workforce: ? What are some specific ways #AI is already reshaping the American workforce, and how do we prepare for the disruptions that lie ahead? ? How do we ensure that human judgment remains central in the decision-making processes influenced by AI? ? What role should public and private sector leaders play in facilitating this transition to ensure #responsibleAI development? Many thanks to our panelists for joining and sharing their valuable expertise and perspectives from their work and industries. We're excited to continue working with leaders across labor, tech, government, and more to build a future where our shared humanity guides our digital tech. Learn more about our new mission and how we plan to achieve this vision ?? https://lnkd.in/d8V__qb7

We're urging Congress to pass the CREATE AI Act alongside EleutherAI, Kapor Center, OpenMined, and other partners ???? Omidyar Network is proud to support the National AI Research Resource and efforts to advance responsible AI for the benefit of society.

?? Our latest newsletter is out now! Don't miss the "5 Big Things" from the past month ?? 1?? A new report from More in Common revealing Americans’ attitudes toward generative AI 2?? An exploration into the impacts of?generative AI?on human connection, with Preston-Werner Ventures, Einhorn Collaborative, and the Harvard Human Flourishing Program 3?? A new book catalyzing dialogue on philanthropy and AI, with contributions from Anamitra Deb and David Evan Harris 4?? Two conversations seeding new narratives about tech in creative industries, with Nicole C. Allred, Pathos Labs // PopShift, and other leaders 5?? The Department of Labor's roadmap for responsible AI in the workforce Read the newsletter + sign up to never miss an update ?? https://lnkd.in/g7h-Vk4F

Our message to business leaders and investors ?? Join us to bend the arc of the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity, and possibility. With generative AI bursting onto the tech scene and increased attention to the societal benefits, dangers, and (non)governance of digital tech, there is an extraordinary and time-limited window?—?and imperative?—?to act now. At the CECP CEO Investor Forum, our CEO Michael Kubzansky called on business leaders and investors to join us to guide #AI and #DigitalTech's trajectory intentionally by prioritizing responsible governance, ensuring workers have a seat at the table, and more ??? ??

To ensure #DigitalSafety, legislative safeguards like California's recent Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act are important, but not sufficient on their own. In her latest piece in Tech Policy Press (https://lnkd.in/gW5xk39T), our colleague Wafa Ben-Hassine outlined the multifaceted and nuanced approach necessary to address online harm and preserve civil liberties ?? ?? We need buy-in and collaboration from tech companies, policymakers, and civil society to develop comprehensive solutions. ?? We must enhance platforms’ responsiveness to public agencies and researchers working in the public interest and ensure platforms are transparent about their operations and harm mitigation efforts. ?? We must center the most vulnerable people, such as children and new immigrants, in our response in collaboration with civil society organizations, health professionals, and social workers. "Coordination is no longer a “nice to have”—it is essential." As we become more reliant on these platforms, the threats they pose must be directly addressed for us to realize a future where everyone is safe online.

Polarization is dominating the news this week; however, a recent study on AI by More in Common and the Omidyar Network reveals a good deal of common ground in Americans' hopes and fears about GenAI. Launched last week at https://lnkd.in/gmixfp8Z, the new report explores Americans’ views on Generative AI (GenAI). COMMON GROUND ■ 83% worry about GenAI’s potential to erode trust in news and online content. ■ 70% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans agree that big tech companies are not serving the public interest. Additionally, 48% of both parties believe the government isn’t doing enough to regulate GenAI, while only 16-18% feel it is over-regulated. ■ GenAI is welcomed in supportive roles like assistants or drivers, but respondents have concern around the use of AI in positions of power (e.g., doctors, judges) or intimate roles (e.g., friends, romantic partners). IMPORTANT DIVERGENCE ■ Women, rural residents, and those who report low social belonging are more skeptical of GenAI’s impact, while men, urban dwellers, and those with strong community ties tended toward optimism. ■ 51% of White or European Americans believe the government isn’t doing enough to regulate GenAI, compared to just 27% of Black or African Americans. This data reminds us in #philanthropy to be sure we're advocating for efforts like AI regulation in a way that includes diverse perspectives. It also highlights areas where more nuanced research is needed to understand the preferences of women, rural residents, and Black Americans regarding AI. Read the full report at https://lnkd.in/gmixfp8Z #ResponsibleAI #EthicalAI #PhilanthropyTech #Philanthropy #PublicInterestTech

In case you missed it ?? Here are the "5 Big Things" from our latest newsletter: 1?? A blog unpacking our new mission and our definitions of shared power, prosperity, and possibility 2?? A blog by Michele Lawrence Jawando highlighting the critical role of HBCUs in the age of AI 3?? A spotlight on TechEquity, a partner working to ensure the tech industry builds widespread economic prosperity 4?? A video featuring our reporters in residence reflecting on the importance of supporting independent journalism (with Nick Romeo, Osita Nwanevu, Helaine Olen, and Beth Kanter) 5?? A call to support the film “UNION” celebrating a victory for worker power Read the newsletter + sign up to never miss an update ?? https://lnkd.in/gUEKeYBP

A step in the right direction ?? This week, the Department of Labor released a roadmap for #ResponsibleAI in the workforce. AI should augment human capability and allow workers to do more, and better, but not at the cost of wholesale replacement of jobs, industries, or human judgment. The new roadmap details eight priorities for AI companies and developers to center worker power and well-being in the development and deployment of the technology. These include: ?? Ensuring workers have input in the design, development, testing, training, use, and oversight of AI in the workplace. ?? Designing, developing, and training AI in a way that protects workers' rights and improves job quality. ?? Embedding clear AI governance systems, human oversight, and evaluation processes in the workplace. As Omidyar Network leans into our renewed focus on digital tech's impacts on society, we share the Department of Labor's commitment to a future where workers have greater voice, agency, and choice over how technology affects their lives. Read the roadmap ?? https://lnkd.in/gaD6vYPu More on how these principles support our new mission ?? https://lnkd.in/d8V__qb7