Discussion on The Ethical Tech Project: Conversation with Chair Jennie Baird Regarding Privacy Preservation
The Ethical Tech Project, a non-profit organisation founded by serial entrepreneur Tom Chavez and chaired by digital media executive Jennie Baird, is making waves in the tech industry with its focus on ethical practices and sustainability.
Started with a vision to ensure privacy rights and transparency around data use by big tech companies, the project has expanded its scope to include education on safety, misinformation, accessibility, and sustainability in AI.
One of the key initiatives of The Ethical Tech Project is the Ethical Tech Curriculum, a 10-module program designed to train tech and AI builders in more ethical practices. This curriculum has been adapted to bring Ethical Tech and AI training to corporations and industry events.
The project recently completed its Ethical Tech Fellows pilot cohort, during which early- to midcareer Fellows pitched their ideas for new ethically-minded businesses, products, services, and features to a panel of investors and industry experts. The ideas were described as brilliant and exciting.
Jennie Baird, Chair of The Ethical Tech Project’s Board, shared her favorite memory working for the project as the conclusion of the Ethical Tech Fellowship in June. She noted that the project faces challenges in demonstrating that doing the right thing in terms of tech and AI ethics will be good for the bottom line.
To overcome these challenges, The Ethical Tech Project differentiates itself by focusing on practical tools and education for tech builders, including engineers, designers, product managers, data scientists, digital marketers, and company founders. This approach sets it apart from other organisations in the tech for good space, many of which focus on research, policy advocacy, and bringing under-represented populations in STEM.
In addition to its curriculum and fellowship programmes, The Ethical Tech Project has delivered significant projects such as The Privacy Stack, a reference architecture for privacy engineering.
The project is currently grant-funded and is seeking to develop relationships with additional grantmakers. It is also in talks with investors about pathways to connect capital with ethical tech ideas. The Ethical Tech Project partners with other organisations in the tech for good space on programs and events, collaborating to create a more ethical and sustainable tech industry.
[1] Source: The Ethical Tech Project website and press releases.
- The Ethical Tech Project, a pioneer in data-and-cloud-computing and artificial-intelligence education, focuses on equipping tech builders with practical tools and knowledge for more ethical practices, aiming to set a new standard in the tech industry.
- As the Ethical Tech Project expands its scope, it also emphasizes the importance of AI's role in safety, misinformation, accessibility, and sustainability, extending its reach to corporations, industry events, and fellowships for early-to-mid-career professionals.
