On Thursday, June 11, Tech for Democracy held its inaugural event, bringing together technologists on Zoom for one hour focused on the intersection of technology, democracy, and organizing.
The event featured conversations with New York State Assemblyman and congressional candidate Alex Bores on why technologists matter in policy; a live demo of Intension from founder Conor Sanchez-O'Shea; and remarks from Glenn Otis Brown on how movements are built. The gathering concluded with concrete ways to get involved.
Alex Bores
NY State Assemblyman, congressional candidate NY-12
Discussed why elected officials need to understand technology, how policy decisions that seem unrelated to tech actually run on software, and the role technologists can play in government.
Conor Sanchez-O'Shea
Founder, Intension
Demonstrated Intension, a tool designed to measure and protect attention in a fragmented digital world—exemplifying technology built with progressive values.
Glenn Otis Brown
Senior advisor, MIT Center for Constructive Communication
Outlined how movements are built with intention, drawing on his experience at Creative Commons and the Obama Foundation to explain the role of tech workers in organizing.
Mark Josephson
Founder, Tech for Democracy
Opened the event with the mission and framing, and guided conversations on why this moment matters for technologists with progressive values.
Kara Weber
Co-organizer, Tech for Democracy
Closed the event with concrete ways to get involved: backing candidates, growing the community for July 28, and volunteering to help build the movement.
Tech for Democracy is organizing an all-hands gathering on July 28 to build on the momentum from June 11. The second event will bring the community together to deepen relationships, coordinate efforts, and discuss concrete next steps for 2024 and beyond.
If you want to help build Tech for Democracy, we need people who can organize, bring others in, or contribute in other ways. Fill out the form below.