Generative AI. Big Data. Algorithmic Management. Robotics. Technologies currently being developed and deployed will change—have already changed—the very nature and quality of work for countless people in the US and around the world. If designed and harnessed responsibly, they have the potential to help us reimagine how we work, where we work, and what work we do. But advanced thoughtlessly, or optimized solely for profit, technology will accelerate exploitation, exacerbate existing inequalities and discrimination, and fuel mistrust of democratic institutions.
Over the 2 Days, We Will Virtually Explore:
- The specter of generative AI: Is ChatGPT really coming for all of our jobs?
- Worker-led efforts to use innovative technology to improve their work and working conditions
- An interactive workshop to explore the insidious growth of algorithmic bossware and worker surveillance—and how it’s already more pervasive than you might think
- How investors across sectors can shape digital innovation—for good or ill
- The “gig-ification” of the whole economy. It’s not just Uber and Doordash.
- How policymakers and advocates are building guardrails to protect workers now and in the future
In this two-day open-access virtual conference, we will feature many of the worker organizations leading the movement to build a more just and equitable economy in conversation with some of the sharpest minds in academia, civil society, and the public and private sectors. Together, we will explore the risks of tech innovation that fails to serve labor, and we will envision what is needed to build a better, more worker-centered digital economy.
Who Should Join? Nonprofit and for-profit social change leaders from around the world who care about the future of your organization and its workers. Leaders from across the social innovation ecosystem will discover insights, and will come away informed regardless of your level of familiarity with data or new tech.
Program Overview:
Day One – Tuesday, May 2, 2023
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM PT/ 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET
How Tech Meets Work: A high-level overview of how tech is impacting workers and exacerbating inequities in the US and globally. Plus, a preview of some promising cross-sector solutions.
Generative AI: The Untold Story: In this session we will shed light on how humans power AI, from micro-taskers to content moderators. What would responsible development of AI that serves workers look like?
Case Study of Driver’s Seat Cooperative – When Workers Lead Innovation: What happens when workers themselves lead innovation and build technologies that improve their work and working conditions? Driver’s Seat is giving power back to rideshare drivers by democratizing data.
The Tech We Get Is the Tech In Which We Invest: How can investors of all stripes shape technological innovation for good or ill? We’ll explore what it means for funders to make workers central to their decision making.
Day Two – Wednesday, May 3, 2023
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM PT/ 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET
The Gig Economy and the End of Employment: The gig economy is upending the traditional employer-employee relationship and informalizing work globally. What can be done to counter this trend and to make sure new business models create high-quality jobs and working conditions?
Bossware Is Coming For You: We’ll hear firsthand how surveillance and algorithmic management impacts the daily life of a warehouse worker. And we’ll explore the rise of bossware and highlight different ways that tech affects workers on and off the job.
Case Study of the Worker Voice Design Lab – What Companies Can Learn by Listening: A conversation with IDEO and partners on continuous improvement, and how harnessing worker-centered design practices can optimize business operations across even the most complex sectors.
Building Digital Guardrails That Serve Workers: What rules and regulations are needed to protect workers now and in the future? We’ll share examples of various stakeholders who are driving meaningful change locally, nationally, and globally.
A Vision for the Future: We collectively have the opportunity to build an economy that works for workers all over the world. Our expert panelists will synthesize what we’ve learned and offer some suggestions for how to ensure technological innovation is a force for liberation.
Closed Captioning Available: Live transcription is available for this program. To activate Closed Captioning during the LIVE broadcast, click on the upward arrow next to the CC icon and select the Subtitling option. To disable Closed Captioning, click on the upward arrow next to the CC icon and select the Hide Subtitling option.
On-Demand Version: Register and access the recording of the live event on-demand 24 hours after the webinar ends and anytime over the next 12 months.
Complimentary Registration: Register for FREE for this conference, underwritten by The Ford Foundation. Your registration provides you with access to the live presentations for all 2 days and unlimited access to the recorded conference video for 12 months from the date of broadcast.
If you have any questions about this program, write to us at [email protected].
