Tech Policy Lab | University of Washington

The Tech Policy Lab is a unique, interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Washington that aims to enhance technology policy through research, education, and thought leadership. Founded in 2013 by faculty from the University’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Information School, and School of Law, the Lab aims to bridge the gap between technologists and policymakers and to help generate wiser, more inclusive tech policy.

FEATURED

Diverse Voices

A How-To Guide for Creating More Inclusive Tech Policy Documents

Telling Stories

Intended for policymakers, technologists, educators and others, this international collection of 19 short stories delves into AI’s cultural impacts with hesitation and wonder.

Augmented Reality

Our work in AR examines the major legal and policy issues augmented reality may present as a novel technology.

Cities

Our work examines how emerging technology affects and operates within cities, and provides recommendations around the policy impacts of these technologies.

On the Steppe

On the Steppe, a radio series on designing and using technology wisely.

Data Statements

Our work proposes data statements as a design solution and professional practice for natural language processing technologists to help mitigate issues related to exclusion and bias.

WAYS TO GROW: New Directions for Agricultural Technology Policy

Distinguished Lecture Series

Distinguished Lecture with Danielle Citron | The Fight for Privacy: Protecting Dignity, Identity, and Love in the Digital Age

Danielle Citron is the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Schenck Distinguished Professor in Law and Caddell and Chapman Professor of Law at the University of Virginia, where she writes and teaches about privacy, free expression and civil rights. Her scholarship and advocacy have been recognized nationally and internationally.

Tech Talk with Barry Friedman: Keeping Personal Data Safe From Law Enforcement

Barry Friedman serves as the Faculty Director of the Policing Project at New York University School of Law, where he is the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Professor of Law and Affiliated Professor of Politics. Professor Friedman visited the University of Washington School of Law to discuss the growing network of police surveillance and the confrontation between constitutional rights and mass government surveillance.

Hacking Elections: A Conversation with Matt Tait

On November 28th, 2018 cybersecurity expert and former British intelligence officer Matt Tait gave the Tech Policy Lab's Distinguished Lecture on foreign interference with the midterm elections.

Taking Care: Code and Control in a Technological Future | Taeyoon Choi

Taeyoon Choi is an artist, organizer, teacher and cofounder of the School for Poetic Computation, an artist-run school in New York City with a motto of “More Poetry, Less Demo.”

AI Now: Social and Political Questions for Artificial Intelligence | Kate Crawford

In March 2018, Kate Crawford gave the Tech Policy Lab’s Spring Distinguished Lecture on “AI Now: Social and Political Questions for Artificial Intelligence.”

Poison Arrows and Other ‘Killer Apps’: A Hunter-Gatherer Perspective on Tech and our Future | James Suzman

In November 2017, James Suzman joined the Tech Policy Lab to give our fall Distinguished Lecture on “Poison Arrows and Other ‘Killer Apps’: A Hunter-Gatherer Perspective on Tech and our Future.”

My Politics as a Technologist | Terry Winograd and Alan Borning

On November 30, 2016 the Tech Policy Lab organized a discussion at the intersection of personal politics and technical expertise with Terry Winograd and Alan Borning.

How Technology Impacts Humans | Latanya Sweeney

In December 2016, the Lab's Fall Distinguished Lecture was given by renowned technologist and former Chief Technologist for the Federal Trade Commission, Professor Latanya Sweeney.

Deterrence in the 21st Century: From Nuclear, To Space, To Cyberspace | General Kevin Chilton

In April 2016, General Kevin Chilton gave the Tech Policy Lab's Spring Distinguished Lecture on Deterrence in the 21st Century: From Nuclear, To Space, To Cyberspace.

Responsible Innovation in the Age of Robots and Smart Machines | Jeroen van den Hoven

In December 2014, Jeroen van den Hoven gave the Tech Policy Lab's Distinguished Lecture on Responsible Innovation in the Age of Robots and Smart Machines.