Technology in the Public Interest Program Strategy

Our Strategy

The overarching goal of Technology in the Public Interest is to strengthen democratic oversight and innovation in the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) through the development, adoption, and enforcement of evaluation, auditing, and accountability mechanisms that center public interest considerations.

Our strategy seeks to ensure that AI systems are governed in ways that uphold democratic values, such as transparency, accountability, and public engagement. We emphasize the need for meaningful oversight that focuses on how AI systems impact people, communities, and society. Doing so helps expand who benefits from AI.

Because technology is not static, we will also explore emerging issue areas at the intersection of technology and society. Priority areas for exploration include advancing new public interest thinking at the intersection of AI, national security, and geopolitics, and advancing linguistic diversity in AI.

Our grantmaking contributes to the Foundation's commitment to Humanity AI and Current AI.

Grantmaking Approaches

Research

Strengthen the research base for public interest-focused AI evaluations, auditing, and accountability in ways that inform policy, practice, and public knowledge. We support organizations that create and implement evaluation and audit methods and advance other types of accountability measures for AI systems.

Policy

Advance the development, implementation, and enforcement of AI laws, policies, and regulations that center public interest considerations. This includes supporting the creation of policy and regulatory frameworks as well as analysis, capacity building, and education on governing AI in the public interest.

Practitioner Networks

Support networks that ensure AI deployment in high-stakes sectors—from healthcare to education and beyond—prioritizes public interest considerations. We support field practitioners who work together to embed responsible practices at every stage of AI implementation.

Why We Support This Work

We live in a world increasingly shaped by AI and related technologies. While AI promises to bring numerous benefits to people and society, it is also introducing serious risks and harms. AI systems deployed across healthcare, finance, and education can introduce new security risks and exacerbate inequities. Moreover, the race among a handful of powerful companies and governments to achieve “AI dominance” is eroding efforts to keep AI accurate, safe, and respectful of human rights.

Beneath the veneer of emerging technology are old stories about power. The companies driving AI integration are ultimately beholden to investors, not the public, thereby creating incentives to prioritize profit over people.

Strong oversight of AI is essential. Evaluation and auditing of AI builds trust, ensures safety, and protects human rights. That is why we are deepening our research investments in this area and supporting organizations working to ensure AI governance serves the public interest.

A woman stands and speaks into a microphone in a crowded room of seated and attentive people.

TechEquity raises awareness about economic inequality resulting from the technology industry's products and practices, and advocates for change that ensures technology's evolution benefits everyone. Credit: TechEquity Collaborative

Expected Outcomes

Technology in the Public Interest expects to demonstrate contributions to the following outcomes through our grantmaking:

Researchers and advocates advance shared AI evaluation and auditing practices that center public interest considerations, informing law, policy, regulation, and practice.

AI governance is guided by laws, regulations, standards, and practices that safeguard the public interest, shaped through strategic and coordinated contributions from civil society.

Expert networks focused on responsible AI adoption in high-stakes sectors are expanded and strengthened, advancing AI policies and practices that serve the public interest.

Increased research and journalism on AI’s impacts to both educate and inform the public and help guide policy, regulation, and practice.

Funding Priorities

Whenever possible, Technology in the Public Interest provides general operating support to organizations contributing to multiple grantmaking approaches. In addition, we fund exploration at the intersection of AI, national security, and geopolitics, as well as linguistic diversity in AI. Across our work, we collaborate with other MacArthur programs and philanthropic partners to align resources.

While we are not currently accepting unsolicited proposals, we welcome hearing about new ideas and perspectives.

Evaluation for Learning

Evaluation of our work is a critical tool for informing our decision-making, leading to better results and more effective stewardship of resources. The Foundation develops customized evaluation designs for each of our programs based on the context, problem, opportunity, and approach to the work. Evaluation is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process of collecting feedback and using that information to support our grantees and adjust our strategy.

Findings and analyses from evaluation activities are posted publicly as they become available.

Technology in the Public Interest Overview