Session: Digital Panel Discussion: Are We Addicted To The Algorithm?

Bezos, Zuck, Musk and the bloke from Google all sat in the front row of Trump’s inauguration.

As a sector we’re reliant on their platforms and products to drive public engagement with our work.

But let’s be honest, even pre-Trump these platforms were problematic, but as a sector we’ve become dependent on them and don’t seem to have a plan B.

Should we be worried, what actions should we take, how do we square the ethical circle?

In this session we’ll hear from a panel of digital experts with a wide range of views on how we should engage with these platforms.

Panel Chair, Jean O'Brien (Digital Charity Lab), Panelists, Mae Dobbs (Electica), Liz Carolan (ICCL), Clare O'Donoghue Velikić (ODV Digital) and Jonathan Nolan (Concern Worldwide)

Topic Guide

• How is the digital / social space likely to develop / change in the aftermath of the new digital order?
• Should we be there?
• What are our red lines, should we have any?
• What’s an ethical way to use Meta/Twitter etc
• Should charities advertise on platforms with poor records on misinformation, hate speech, or data privacy?
• Is it ethical for charities to use behavioural targeting, income profiling, or lookalike audiences?
• Are there alternative digital strategies beyond paid ads?

Jean O'Brien (Digital Panel)

Jean O’Brien is a digital veteran who’s been working with the web and interactive media since the late 1990s. She came into the charity sector in 2005 and has never looked back; she’s passionate about digital for causes. Jean has worked in-house for Irish charities including Oxfam and Barnardos, in digital roles working with fundraising, communications and advocacy teams. This showed her the power of integrated campaigns, and since becoming a full-time consultant in 2019, that’s been her main focus.

With her digital consultancy, Jean has worked with over 70 organisations, including Dogs Trust, Trócaire, DEBRA, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Epilepsy Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation, Mater Foundation and many more.

Jean founded the social enterprise Digital Charity Lab in 2014 to help build digital skills in non-profits; and has done highly-rated digital training with the Arts Council RAISE programme, the Digital Fundraising Academy, GivePanel and more.

Jean specialises in bringing strategic thinking together with implementation skills, integrated campaigns, devising vibrant training sessions, and building digital skills and confidence in her clients.