Creating a Bill of Rights for Automated Society

It is time to foster an open and transparent dialogue on developing data-driven technologies rooted in democratic values – strengthening equity, accountability, justice, and integrity.

On November 18, 2021, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and New America co-hosted an online event (recording here) to explore the current and emergent uses of technology to implement or improve social welfare systems, social development programs, voting, and other systems needed to help people thrive.

Panelists discussed whether new technologies are aiding or harming vulnerable individuals and communities, and the role of legal or technological interventions in ensuring access to and the benefits of entitlements and democratic participation. This convening was part of a series of six public events with the goal of promoting public understanding and engagement on the impacts of data-driven technology.

This work requires a broad community of social innovators empowered to openly assess the opportunities, risks and gaps created by new technologies. Tech can only work for everyone if everyone is included.

OSTP and New America want to hear from you. Please share your feedback with OSTP and New America on any of the issues raised during the event by emailing your feedback at ai-equity@ostp.eop.gov; or contact the Digital Impact and Governance Initiative with New America at digi@newamerica.org. Additionally, responses may be submitted to a request for information on uses of AI-enabled biometric technologies in the private and public sectors until January 15, 2022.

Event Co-hosts

• Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Assistant Director of Science and Justice, OSTP
• Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America

Panelists

• J. Khadijah Abdurahman, Tech Impact Network Research Fellow, AI Now Institute, UCLA C2I2, and UWA Law School
• Michele Evermore (moderator), Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Unemployment Insurance Modernization, Office of the Secretary, Department of Labor
• Blake Hall, CEO & Founder, ID.me
• Karrie Karahalios, Professor of Computer Science, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Dr. Zachary Mahafza, Research & Data Analyst, Southern Poverty Law Center
• Julia Simon-Mishel, Supervising Attorney, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
• Christiaan van Veen, Director of Digital Welfare State and Human Rights Project, NYU School of Law's Center for Human Rights and Global Justice

We look forward to your continued engagement in the weeks and months ahead as we work together to create a Bill of Rights for an Automated Society. To read more about this work, read the opinion piece, Americans Need a Bill of Rights for an AI-Powered World.