The Future of Tech Commission is an independent and bipartisan working group of civic leaders developing a comprehensive, inclusive tech policy agenda for the nation.
News Release
The Future of Tech Commission
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Civic Leaders Launch the “Future of Tech Commission” to Provide a Comprehensive and Inclusive Blueprint for Action on Tech Policy
Former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, Former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer to Serve As Commission Co-Chairs
In response to discussions with the White House and the acting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman, leading civic advocates announced today the launch of the Future of Tech Commission. The independent and bi-partisan Commission will convene leaders and experts from across sectors to inform an inclusive tech policy agenda for the nation and a blueprint of public-private solutions for action at the local, state, and federal levels.
While many developments will shape the future of technology, the Commission’s plan will address some of the most urgent tech policy challenges and opportunities facing America’s economy, democracy, and the nation’s children and families. These include protecting the safety of Americans on online platforms, ensuring consumer privacy, fostering market competition, advancing innovation, and promoting digital equity for all Americans.
Commission Co-Chairs include Former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, Former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer.
In an effort to ensure the nation’s tech policy agenda represents every corner of America, co-chairs will organize virtual town hall meetings in collaboration with rural and urban communities around the country, including with governors, civil society groups, academics, tech policy experts, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. The co-chairs expect to host the first Town Halls with community partners in Texas, California, and Massachusetts, and they will also convene conversations with voices from the midwest and southeast. In addition, the Commission will conduct interviews with a diverse group of thought leaders and community leaders who want to harness the potential of technology and provide Americans with the safety, transparency, and digital equity they deserve.
The commissioners expect to release a comprehensive blueprint for action this summer.
Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel praised the formation of the new commission. “This pandemic has shown like nothing before that skills with internet-based technologies are critical for full participation in modern life. But we know access and experience with these innovations are not uniform across the country. So now is the perfect time to look for smart ways to build a future where every family and every child - no matter who they are or where they live - has a fair shot in the digital age.”
Over the past year, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded American families and businesses of the enormous possibilities and advantages of technology for the future - to connect the isolated, to provide access to education and training for the disconnected, and to accelerate the spread of critical, and at times life-saving information. At the same time, we’ve also experienced the growing hazards of technology over the past several decades, absent a coordinated Federal effort to harness its potential.
The Commission aims to capture this unprecedented moment to forge a coordinated tech policy agenda that strengthens basic democratic norms and institutions; improves quality and access to our systems of education, healthcare, transportation, and workforce development; and bolsters the social, emotional, and cognitive development of America’s children. The Commission’s core vision is to generate collaborative, public-private tech policy solutions for the nation’s state and federal leaders.
Margaret Spellings, former U.S. Secretary of Education and CEO and President of Texas 2036, said, “The pandemic has shown how transformative technology and broadband ubiquity can shape our society and economy. We have a unique opportunity at this time in our history to establish a framework that is informed by American business and community leaders to foster innovation and inclusivity, while ensuring America's standing as a global leader."
Former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick said, “America succeeds when all Americans succeed. Tech has a critical role to play but only if it is accessible to every American, wherever they live and work. This last year has underscored how much unfinished business there is for America, in tech access and otherwise, and we have to do that work together, collaboratively, with equitable outcomes top of mind.”
James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media said, “The American families whose lives are most impacted by technology deserve policies that harness its potential, reflect the digital society we now live in, and protect our democracy. We are eager to begin these discussions in communities around the country and use that input to inform a smart tech policy blueprint for the nation."
For more information on the Future of Tech Commission, visit FutureOfTechCommission.org.
Contact:
Lisa Cohen - lisa@lisacohen.org, (310) 395-2544.