The tech industry, once heralded for creating positive innovative change by connecting people and spreading information, has faced heightened criticism and is now under fire not just from consumers, but in some cases from technologists themselves. Social media has become a vector of bullying and propaganda. Algorithms meant to personalize experiences have ended up amplifying bias. Personal data has been compromised in ways that we don’t even fully understand yet. The relationship between tech and regulators is somewhere between strained and adversarial. And the stakes are only getting higher as tech companies have gone from building software companies that provide efficiency for workers to using AI, virtual reality and the IoT to provide better healthcare, education, financial services, even transportation. Tech industry insiders are beginning to look at the long-term implications of what they’re creating, and utilizing AI for good. It’s no longer enough to incorporate a slight awareness for regulation and recognition for social impact into new innovations. This session will discuss the role the tech industry has in responsibly shaping the future of our economy in the age of AI and why simply being reactive to the impact technology has on our society and culture is no longer enough.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]