With over 170 phenomenal applications from around the world, getting down to seven members was an inspiring challenge, and we are so grateful to the dozens of organizations that took the time to share with us their groundbreaking projects. Please welcome the inaugural cohort of the Digital Equity Accelerator!

In 2021, Aspen Digital joined a diverse group of tech companies, researchers, and DEI experts in publishing the landmark ACT Report, which outlines a wide range of recommendations for improving the representation, inclusion, and empowerment of underserved and marginalized communities. As a next step to this work, the Aspen Institute is launching a new initiative to carry out the vision and recommendations of that report and translate them to measurable, collective action.

By issuing warrants for search histories, combing through social media posts, and tapping location data to track movement, law enforcement will be able to exploit an ever-growing suite of unregulated digital forensic tools to find and prosecute so-called “offenders” en masse. What role can tech companies, advocates, and legislators play in protecting reproductive rights through better privacy protections, and how can individuals shield themselves going forward?

On May 3, 2022, the Aspen Institute’s Tech Policy Hub and Commission on Information Disorder hel

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.

Amidst widespread fears of cyber ramifications for the US and western networks due to Russia's war in Ukraine, Aspen Digital brought together some of the country's top experts on cyber threats to help small and medium-size businesses understand how to handle online risks to their networks and operations. There are several concrete actions organizations can take today to prepare for a possible cyber incident.

MARCH 15, 2022 - As schools make greater use of educational technology tools, students are exposed to widespread data collection without adequate protection. As remote learning becomes increasingly common, access to reliable home internet connection is a necessity. As cities move towards more sustainable energy models, citizens will be left with higher electric bills. How can ensure that vulnerable communities are prepared for these modern challenges?