Center for Civil Rights and Technology
Ensuring that new technologies further, not hinder, civil rights protections
Civil rights are fundamental to a fair and just society. We are working in coalition to build a regulatory regime that includes civil rights guardrails, transparency and accountability to ensure technology is innovative rather than harmful.
The Center for Civil Rights and Technology is a first-of-its-kind research and advocacy hub, bringing together civil society, policymakers, and the tech sector to advance understanding of opportunities and challenges from the proliferation of AI and emerging technologies. Together, these diverse groups are working relentlessly to ensure that when AI policy is formulated, they center civil rights as a core issue.
Core Issues
Artificial Intelligence
Everyone deserves fairness and equity. As artificial intelligence (AI) use grows and provides opportunities for innovation and productivity, it is essential that the federal government protects everyone from the potential harms of AI and ensures we have equitable access for all communities to its benefits. Civil rights protections do not fall away when you interact with an automated system. AI systems that are biased do not provide full information or protections for marginalized communities. Therefore, the current decisions made using those systems cannot be trusted. We are advocating across the federal government and White House administration to ensure that AI legislation and regulatory measures center on civil rights, and that AI systems are equitable and do not discriminate.
2023 Letter to the White House on Forthcoming AI Executive Order ›
Holding Meta Accountable
In October 2017, we joined with civil rights organizations to express our deep concern regarding ads, pages, and hateful content on Meta’s platform used to divide our country, and in particular, to promote anti-Muslim, anti-Black, anti-immigrant, and anti-LGBTQ animus. In May 2018, Facebook committed to a long-overdue civil rights audit.
Along with Color of Change, we wrote to Facebook again in November 2018 urging them to take immediate steps to build public faith in the platform – faith that is further eroded as we learn more about how the company has undermined our democracy and civil society. We also called for an update on the status of their audit, and a commitment to addressing the problems and implementing recommendations.
Broadband Infrastructure
The transition from copper circuit-switched wireline networks to fiber, co-axial cable, and wireless all-Internet Protocol (IP) networks is an important evolution of our communications infrastructure that impacts all people in America. Upgrading technologies can offer great benefits for economic growth and competitiveness, flexibility, job creation, consumer service, and cost. But challenges may arise as providers upgrade the nation’s infrastructure.
On February 13, the Center for Civil Rights and Technology, a new initiative created by The Leadership Conference Education Fund, hosted its first major event: Regulatory Code: AI, Civil Rights, and the Future of Our Democracy. The event brought together congressional, regulatory, and industry leaders for a convening on the future of AI regulation and the intersection with key civil rights issues, including voting, employment, and health care. The Center for Civil Rights and Technology is the first of its kind research and advocacy hub, and this is the first major event it hosted.
Latest News
Anniversary of AI Executive Order Renews Call for Action
It's been a year since the AI executive order. While it was a step in the right direction for AI safeguards, we can’t allow it to be the end of the story.
In Wake of Post-Hurricane Online Lies, Center for Civil Rights and Technology Calls on Platforms to Address Digital Disinformation Immediately
WASHINGTON — A review of social media posts stemming from Hurricanes Helene and Milton makes clear that social media platforms have failed to address digital voting disinformation and must do so now in the run-up to the election and on Election Day itself, according to The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology (the Center). Social media platforms continue to be rife with misinformation, disinformation, and fake AI images presented as news. These posts, in turn, have been supercharged by large accounts with big followings and, unfortunately, appear to be connected to threats of violence against FEMA workers in North Carolina.