innovation

As we prepare to welcome the Digital Equity Accelerator’s first-ever cohort, we are thrilled to introduce a phenomenal group of leaders who will serve as our inaugural Advisory Council. Comprising leaders at the forefront of advancing equity in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity across the digital space, this diverse network serves as a brain trust to ensure that the Accelerator centers on and serves the communities most impacted by the digital divide.

Social media platforms, virtual assistants, and other digital technologies affect human connection, emotion, agency, and identity. To address this evolving landscape, Aspen Digital hosted a series of workshops that brought together experts from various disciplines and domains with representatives from across the tech industry to critically examine responsible research and innovation in the context of well-being. The resulting report highlights the challenges and opportunities for various stakeholders, especially the tech sector, in pursuing responsible research and innovation centered on achieving a better understanding of the influence technology has on our well-being.

Shahed Amanullah has spent his career developing innovative approaches for shifting power and equity, often to marginalized communities. Given that background, I was thrilled to have the chance to get his perspective on the work ahead for our program’s new Digital Equity Accelerator.

AUGUST 7, 2020 – This expert panel of city leaders, technologists, and innovators discuss why it is usually so hard to learn from failure in government and what governments and their allies can do about it.

Imagine if, with the coronavirus tearing through our country and demands for racial justice ringing in our ears, we could not use the word “failure.” How could we ever begin to fix what is broken if we couldn’t be honest about the brokenness in the first place? 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology companies are playing a key role in providing innovative services and platforms for communities to come together, filling the gaps left by overstretched NGOs and government entities.

MARCH 27, 2020 – We hear from experts on China’s technology capability, how it was deployed, and what civic technology is in the works around the world.

This executive summary explains why Rural Development Hubs are important, how they work, and what it takes to do that work. It also discusses policy levers and enabling environments that can strengthen Rural Development Hubs, and that foster community and economic development that advances both equity and prosperity.

Cornell’s Adam Seth Litwin discusses the best ways to bring issues around technology and the future of work into the classroom.