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World Congress 2024 • Aug 20, 2024 • Session details

The Impact of Technology on Democracy

Constantijn van Oranje , David Simas , Fanny Jimenez , Vera Futorjanski

Software architecture is inherently political. Unexamined biases in your codebase can manipulate societal behavior. Discover why engineers hold the ultimate civic responsibility in our digital age.

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#1 about 3 min

Panel introductions and regional perspectives on tech

An introduction to the diverse global panelists discussing technology's societal effects across regions.

#2 about 5 min

Algorithmic social video and United States voter behavior

How siloed content platforms influence generational consumption patterns and reshape public perception.

#3 about 3 min

Balancing values and bias in contact tracing apps

Why misaligned cultural policies and unmanaged engineering blind spots compromise critical public applications.

#4 about 4 min

Implementing blockchain strategy within benevolent autocracies

The impact of centralized state funding on rapid municipal digitalization and commercial technology partnerships.

#5 about 4 min

Overcoming European lobbying hurdles and technology sovereignty

How fragmented regional policies and strategic supply chain constraints limit localized technical competitiveness.

#6 about 7 min

Navigating regulatory battles over machine learning and free speech

The challenge of mitigating digital interference without violating foundational domestic liberties.

#7 about 3 min

Fostering top-down technological empowerment and citizen trust

Leveraging financial and telehealth innovations to support underserved populations and reinforce systemic stability.

#8 about 4 min

The ethical and civic responsibilities of software engineers

Why architects of modern systems must deliberately dismantle algorithmic prejudice and engage in public discourse.

Matching moments

6:21 min

Stepping up as developers of democracy and society

David Simas David Simas · World Congress 2024

2:25 min

Defining civic code and democratic responsibility in technology

David Simas David Simas · World Congress 2024

3:22 min

The ethical impact of accelerating technology adoption

Julien Blanchez · Coffee With Developers

3:19 min

Building community resilience against algorithmic media manipulation

Jeff Watkins Jeff Watkins · World Congress 2025

1:36 min

The tech industry's negative societal impact

Phil Bennett · World Congress 2021

1:34 min

Introduction to responsible artificial intelligence and societal impact

Toju Duke · World Congress 2022

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