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?

Liz Carolan

Liz Carolan is a writer, advisor and advocate working on technology and its impact on democracy. She has held roles at the Open Data Institute, the Africa Governance Initiative, and the Institute for Government, and is founder of Digital Action and the Transparent Referendum Initiative. She is currently advising a number of philanthropic initiatives, a board member of ICCL, and publisher of TheBrieifng.ie newsletter.