From Pittsburgh to Cambridge: Continuing Tech Policy Pursuits at the Harvard Kennedy School

It's official: In mid-August, I'll be moving to Cambridge to pursue a Master in Public Policy degree at the Harvard Kennedy School. This will also mean a fond and bittersweet departure from the Steel City that’s provided me such a welcoming home and a bounty of inspiration over the past six years. When I arrived in Pittsburgh on August 12, 2014, all I knew was that I’d be entering a rigorous learning experience through the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. I did not expect to embark on such a deeply formative and rewarding journey, which would fundamentally shape my career and worldview.

It's hard to believe we're already/only halfway through 2020, considering how much this outrageous year has already thrown at us. It’s clear the world is changing at such a rapid and accelerating pace that it’s no longer realistic or responsible to expect a return to “normal.” Our only choice is to find a way forward.

Public health crises, systemic racism, climate change, and human rights abuses are by no means new, and they certainly won’t end this year. However, with technology’s unprecedented ability to help correct or exacerbate these challenges, we must recognize that the stakes are higher than ever. The coming decade will likely serve as a global referendum on how we proceed as a civilization, determining our values around fairness, security, privacy, accountability, democracy, truth, justice, and the preservation of human rights and dignity as a whole.

Over the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of local and global leaders, ranging from nonprofits and entrepreneurs to elected officials and UN agencies. I’ve done most of my work quietly and behind the scenes—supporting important causes however I’ve been able, and stepping in to lead where necessary. Recently, I’ve found a lot of inspiration in the united efforts of (some) communities fighting COVID-19, the demonstrable impact of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and the growing attention to ethical issues (both AI and human) that pervade most of the tech industry. I’ve filled my days contributing however I can, but to be honest, I haven’t been able to shake this overwhelming feeling of powerlessness. The more I learn, the more I realize I still don't know.

The motto for the Harvard Kennedy School is “Ask What You Can Do,” quoted from JFK’s 1961 inaugural address, at the beginning of a defining decade for the Space Race and the Information Age. Looking at the coming decade, with a new Space Race and the Age of AI already well upon us, I have a good sense of what I can do: I plan to work in international technology policy and governance, with a focus on US-China relations, doing my utmost to ensure that we act in service of humanity, not at its detriment. As I am now, I may not be ready to lead on this front, but I’m optimistic that my experience at HKS will prepare me for those responsibilities to come.

To all my amazing friends and colleagues in Pittsburgh, don’t think for a second that this is the end. I still have high hopes and expectations for Pittsburgh to be the model for cities around the world navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution. No matter what, I’ll always advocate on behalf of the city, and you can bet I’ll be back.

To all my amazing friends and colleagues in Pittsburgh, don’t think for a second that this is the end. I still have high hopes and expectations for Pittsburgh to be the model for cities around the world navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution. No matter what, I’ll always advocate on behalf of the city, and you can bet I’ll be back.

I have full confidence in Lance Lindauer leading and growing our work at the Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology, and I’m grateful to Jenn Apicella, Olga Pogoda, Ryan O’Shea, and all the other PGH.AI Ambassadors for carrying Pittsburgh’s AI community forward. I give my heartfelt thanks to the countless others who have supported, inspired, or worked with me over the years—I look forward to the next time our paths cross again. Until then, onward and upward!