RxT: Navigating Networks, AI & Safeguarding Democracy

Join Rights x Tech (RxT) for a conversation that examines how today’s network technologies, artificial intelligence, and democracy intersect from a tech‑ethics perspective. As AI‑enhanced communication layers proliferate—from recommendation engines to algorithmic moderation—their influence on public discourse, civic participation, and the integrity of elections becomes ever more consequential. This forum gathers researchers, technologists, policymakers, and activists to examine how networks shape—and are shaped by—our democratic values, institutions, and everyday interactions.

At a moment when digital ecosystems mediate everything from news consumption to voter outreach, we’ll explore pathways to steer these technologies toward transparency, accountability, and shared benefit, asking: What does it take to protect democracy while harnessing the power of AI‑driven networks?

✨ Expect bold visioning, grounded analysis, and collaborative brainstorming aimed at building networked AI environments that respect human dignity, protect fundamental rights, and empower diverse communities.

What to Expect

🔹 Network Architecture & Openness – Unpacking how contemporary network protocols, decentralized architectures, and data‑sharing practices operate, and exploring routes toward open standards and auditable designs.

🔹 AI‑Mediated Public Sphere – Confronting real‑world dilemmas such as algorithmic amplification, misinformation propagation, and the ethical responsibilities of AI curators in shaping civic dialogue.

🔹 Power, Ownership & Governance – Examining who controls the backbone of digital communication—platforms, ISPs, and data pipelines—and envisioning governance frameworks that democratize authority and curb monopolistic influence.

🔹 Resilience & Election Integrity – Identifying concrete interventions—technical safeguards, policy levers, and community‑driven initiatives—that can fortify electoral processes against manipulation while enhancing accessibility.

🔹 Live Q&A & Collective Dialogue – An interactive session where participants pose questions, share experiences, and co‑create actionable roadmaps with our panel of experts.

Why Attend?

• Deepen Your Understanding – Gain a nuanced grasp of the trade‑offs inherent in coupling advanced networking technologies with AI‑driven content curation.
• Connect Across Disciplines – Meet interdisciplinary thinkers dedicated to protecting democratic norms while fostering responsible innovation.
• Leave with Actionable Insights – Walk away with practical ideas you can apply in your own projects, organizations, or advocacy work to strengthen democratic safeguards.

Together, let’s navigate the complexities of networks, AI, and democratic stewardship—charting a course toward technology that serves citizens, not the other way around.

Featured Speakers:

🎙️ Hillary Lehr (she/her) – Hillary Lehr has spent 15 years in the political technology sector. She is the co-founder of Quiller, an AI co-pilot that assists electoral campaigns and nonprofits in creating custom content. Hillary is also an Operating Partner at Higher Ground Labs, an accelerator specializing in political tech startups. There, Hillary led platform and accelerator programs, providing support to startup founders from incubation to seed investment to overall growth, with a focus on developing products that contribute to the success of progressive causes. Previously, she served as the Vice President of Client Success at Hustle, ran partnerships at Brigade and Causes.com, and spent five years innovating digital resources for scaling nonprofit organizing campaigns. She serves on the AI & Emerging Tech Committee for the American Association of Political Consultants. Harvard Kennedy School where she is currently an Ash Center Fellow writing about the intersection of political tech, AI, and democracy.

Socials: @HillaryLehr

🎙️ Rudy Fraser (He/him) – Technologist, community organizer, and founder of Blacksky Algorithms. A technologist and organizer stewarding Blacksky, Rudy develops resilient systems that center community power, including rsky, an independent implementation of the AT Protocol, and Papertree, a mutual-aid platform for sustainable community budgets. A former Fellow at the Applied Social Media Lab, he has built tools that protect marginalized groups—especially Black users—through equitable algorithms and context-aware moderation. He also serves on the board of Pact Collective and organizes mutual aid with We The People NYC.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rudy-fraser

Blacksky Community: @rudyfraser.com

Host:

🎙️ Sabrina Hersi Issa – Sabrina Hersi Issa is an award-winning human rights technologist focused on global advocacy and media innovation. She leads projects leveraging technology and media to improve access to direct services and press freedom. She writes regularly about technology, culture and social issues and is a nonstop champion for women in technology.

🗣️ LinkedIn

IG: @beingbrina

Who Should Attend?

✔️ Communications strategists and digital campaigners ✔️ Movement organizers, technologists, and artists ✔️ Anyone working at the intersection of narrative, power, and technology ✔️ People exploring technology as a tool for justice and collective imagination

🔹Spaces are limited—register now to join the conversation.

📍Hosted by Rights by Tech (RxT)

📍Our Code of Conduct applies to all RxT events

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