CPRT Expert Dialogue: Technology, Free Speech & Democracy in 2024

• As technology platforms provide more and more of the “public square” for civic discourse and debate, their actions will be critical as voters weigh choices in 2024 election in the US and around the world. Now, with the accelerated adoption of AI, technology will have an even greater role in averting electoral crises and navigating intense debates over free speech, hate speech, censorship, fraud, and protest. These challenges raise issues for all companies, as their employees and customers engage over such platforms, and they confront difficult decisions on whether and how to engage responsibly in an environment of polarization and distrust.
• To help us explore this question, we are delighted to speak with Katie Harbath, former director of public policy for Facebook, as we explore:
  
  
  • What are conservatives and liberals most concerned about with social media and the election?
  • What can tech companies – and other businesses – do to foster trust and trustworthiness online?
  • What new risks will AI bring to social media and 2024 election information?
  • How much attention should business be paying to US political risk, and how can they best help avoid or mitigate election-related crises?

  Katie Harbath is chief executive of Anchor Change, and a former director of public policy for Facebook, where she managed the global elections strategy across the company, including advising on products and policy related to civic engagement and election integrity. She now serves as director of technology and democracy for the International Republican Institute, as a fellow with the Bipartisan Policy Center, and as Chair of the Board of the National Conference on Citizenship.

  The Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce (CPRT) Expert Dialogues are in-depth, recorded conversations with academic experts, stakeholder advocates, and business practitioners to provide our members and other CPR champions with the expertise and context they need to develop principled, proactive CPR strategies.

  Find more information on the CPRT website or contact Elizabeth Doty at [email protected].

  This dialogue is designed for leaders in government affairs, diversity, equity and inclusion, and sustainability, as well as academic experts and stakeholder advocates. We invite those interested in a constructive, non-partisan, principles-based discussion.

The CPRT is strictly non-partisan and does not advocate, promote or support any political party or candidate. While speakers and participants in the Expert Dialogues may express their views freely, the CPRT does not endorse particular organizations, individuals, parties, policies or legislation.