What do we talk when we talk about tech?

On Wednesday 19 September 2018, students at the College of Europe in Natolin met for the first of a series of talks about human rights in a digital era. Those lectures, and subsequent follow-up events, will study the relationship between humans and technology, analyse the opportunities and problems arising from social media, look at how the internet is governed, and investigate the role AI and algorithms play in the modern world.

The first talk, entitled Human code and computer code, looked at our society's relationship with technology and how to improve communication between those who design digital tools and their users, especially those in vulnerable communities. It also examined how debates about technology are rarely about programming and engineering alone, but instead touch upon key social issues, such as power, privilege, and free speech.