Technology Salon

New York

Sponsored by

a discussion at the intersection of technology and development

Technology Salon NYC (TSNYC) was started by Linda Raftree in 2011. TSNYC brings together a diverse and experienced group of national and international NGO practitioners and managers, foundation representatives, academic researchers, evaluators, UN agencies, technology creators, design firms, media professionals and social entrepreneurs.

We tackle tough topics in a safe space that sparks opportunities for cross-sectoral learning and development of contacts and partnerships. Salons also serve as sounding board and focus group discussion opportunities for emerging topics in ICT4D and social media for social change.

Our sessions are always overbooked, so be sure to sign up to get invited and RSVP quickly to ensure you’ll have a spot! Contact Linda to suggest a topic or lead discussant for a future meeting, or if you’d like to support TSNYC.


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  • ai-accountability

    The release of ChatGPT and similar chatbots like Google’s Bard and Anthropic’s Claude has re-ignited the discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) in social, work, financial, health, education, law, and most other spheres. A common challenge with these and other AI and machine learning (ML) systems is their lack of transparency and accountability. Algorithms decide what we…

  • dall-e feminist ai

    How to Apply Feminist Frameworks to AI Governance

    New York | By on October 17, 2023 | Comments Off on How to Apply Feminist Frameworks to AI Governance

    Could an intersectional feminist approach to participation, equity and justice help to address the social and political nature of structural inequalities that are baked into every aspect of the AI supply chain? We drew together a roomful of smart folks to discuss this at our September 19th Technology Salon in NYC:  Can Feminist Frameworks improve AI Governance?…

  • Tech Journalism

    How Technology Journalism Can Tell Unheard Stories

    New York | By on April 10, 2023 | Comments Off on How Technology Journalism Can Tell Unheard Stories

    Western perspectives on technology tend to dominate the media, despite the fact that technology impacts on people’s lives are nuanced, diverse and contextually specific. At our March 29 Technology Salon NYC (hosted by Thoughtworks) that asked How Can Tech Journalism Tell the Unheard Stories? we discussed how structural issues in journalism and technology lead to…

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  • sensitive services

    9 Considerations for Designing Safe Digital Solutions for Sensitive Services

    New York | By on March 28, 2023 | Comments Off on 9 Considerations for Designing Safe Digital Solutions for Sensitive Services

    As the world became more digital in the wake of COVID-19, the number of mobile applications and online services and support increased exponentially. Many of these apps offer important support to people who live and move in contexts where they are at risk. Digital apps for sensitive services (such as mental health, reproductive health, shelter…

  • How Should Funders Support the COVID-19 Digital Response?

    COVID-19, New York | By on June 16, 2020 | Comments Off on How Should Funders Support the COVID-19 Digital Response?

    Our sixth virtual Salon in the “Tech in the Time of Coronavirus” series revolved around the role of funders in the COVID-19 digital response. The pandemic has laid bare the vulnerabilities in our economic models and systems. As we look to the future and strive to build a world that is more resilient, funders have…

  • Advice on Volunteering and Managing Volunteers During COVID-19 Digital Response

    COVID-19, New York | By on May 29, 2020 | Comments Off on Advice on Volunteering and Managing Volunteers During COVID-19 Digital Response

    Demand for digital-skills based volunteering has surged as skilled workers search for ways to contribute to the response efforts to COVID-19. As a result, nonprofits are faced with an unprecedented opportunity to bring volunteers into their work and use new talent to advance their missions. However, many nonprofits don’t have a standing volunteer program. And…

  • Data Ethics, Power, and Privacy in COVID-19 Digital Response

    COVID-19, New York | By on May 13, 2020 | Comments Off on Data Ethics, Power, and Privacy in COVID-19 Digital Response

    Data is top of mind during the COVID-19 response. Quality data can help to direct the response and to make decisions, but it’s not the silver bullet that everyone is hoping for. We need to remain aware of the power dynamics represented in how data is collected, treated, protected and interpreted. There needs to be…

  • COVID-19 and the Tech Sector: Guidance for Effective Digital Responses

    COVID-19, New York | By on April 23, 2020 | Comments Off on COVID-19 and the Tech Sector: Guidance for Effective Digital Responses

        Since its emergence in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has reached almost every corner of the globe. By April 20, 2020, the number of recorded cases worldwide had reached 2.4 million with over 161,000 resulting deaths. As the virus spreads, so do the technological responses. Never before has a global crisis been so digital….

  • automated decision making in aid

    Issues with Automated Decision Making in Humanitarian Aid

    New York | By on September 23, 2019 | Comments Off on Issues with Automated Decision Making in Humanitarian Aid

    Recently, we gathered at the OSF offices for the Technology Salon on “Automated Decision Making in Aid: What could possibly go wrong?” with lead discussants: Jon Truong, and Elyse Voegeli, two of the creators of Automating NYC; Genevieve Fried and Varoon Mathur, Fellows at the AI Now Institute at NYU. To start off, we asked participants whether they were optimistic…

  • digital identity

    How We Can Control Our Digital Identities

    New York | By on June 14, 2019 | Comments Off on How We Can Control Our Digital Identities

    The New York City Technology Salon on “Will Digital Identities Support or Control Us” featured lead discussants Savita Bailur and Emrys Schoemaker from Caribou Digital and Aiden Slavin from ID2020. In general, Salon Participants noted the potential positives of digital ID, such as improved access to services, better service delivery, accountability, and better tracking of beneficiaries….

  • ICT4d in FCV

    Money, Power and Data: Ethical Challenges in Sharing Humanitarian Data

    New York | By on March 4, 2019 | Comments Off on Money, Power and Data: Ethical Challenges in Sharing Humanitarian Data

    The World Food Programme (WFP) recently announced a 45 million-dollar partnership with the data analytics firm Palantir, which sparked an IRIN’s article about it, an Open Letter from the Responsible Data Forum, and WFP’s resulting statement. The partnership raises serious issues that the WFP seems to be taking steps to address. But these issues are…

  • How to Build Better Partnerships for Global Health

    New York | By on October 19, 2017 | Comments Off on How to Build Better Partnerships for Global Health

    For our Technology Salon on How Can Partnerships Improve the Digital Health Ecosystem?, we discussed partnerships and interoperability in global health systems. The room housed a wide range of perspectives, from small to large non-governmental organizations to donors and funders to software developers to designers to healthcare professionals to students. Our lead discussants were: Josh…

  • How Partnerships Improve the Digital Health Ecosystem

    New York | By on October 16, 2017 | Comments Off on How Partnerships Improve the Digital Health Ecosystem

    Last Thursday, we had the honor of getting together with many of our peers and partners in New York City to discuss How Can Partnerships Improve the Digital Health Ecosystem? The discussion was moderated by Linda Raftree of Tech Salon, sponsored by Medic Mobile and Praekelt, and hosted by Thoughtworks. The main discussants were: Josh…

  • Can Microwork and Impact Sourcing Improve Youth Employment?

    New York | By on April 18, 2017 | Comments Off on Can Microwork and Impact Sourcing Improve Youth Employment?

    Our Technology Salon on Thursday March 9th focused on the potential of Microwork to support youth economic empowerment. Joining us as lead discussants were: Lis Meyers, Banyan Global Saul Miller, Samasource Elena Matsui, The Rockefeller Foundation Banyan Global recently completed a report on “The Nexus of Microwork and Impact Sourcing: Implications for Youth Employment,” supported…

  • How the Internet of Things Can Contribute to Global Development

    New York | By on April 12, 2016 | Comments Off on How the Internet of Things Can Contribute to Global Development

    Our March 18th Technology Salon NYC covered the Internet of Things and Global Development with three experienced discussants: John Garrity, Global Technology Policy Advisor at CISCO and co-author of Harnessing the Internet of Things for Global Development; Sylvia Cadena, Community Partnerships Specialist, Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) and the Asia Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF); and Andy McWilliams,…

  • How to Approach Digital Safety, Security and Privacy for Vulnerable Girls

    New York | By on January 8, 2016 | Comments Off on How to Approach Digital Safety, Security and Privacy for Vulnerable Girls

    Our December 2015 Technology Salon discussion in NYC focused on approaches to girls’ digital privacy, safety and security. By extension, the discussion included ways to reduce risk for other vulnerable populations. Our lead discussants were Ximena Benavente, Girl Effect Mobile (GEM) and Jonathan McKay, Praekelt Foundation. I also shared a draft Girls’ Digital Privacy, Safety and Security Policy and Toolkit…

  • Insights on Developing an Organizational ICT4D Strategy

    New York | By on November 30, 2015 | Comments Off on Insights on Developing an Organizational ICT4D Strategy

    At our November 18thTechnology Salon, we discussed how different organizations are developing their ICT for development (ICT4D) strategies. We shared learning on strategy development and buy-in, talked about whether organizations should create special teams or labs for ICT- and innovation-related work or mainstream the ICT4D function, and thought about how organizations can define and find…

  • The Role of Big Data in Development Evaluations

    New York | By on November 23, 2015 | Comments Off on The Role of Big Data in Development Evaluations

    Traditional development evaluation has been characterized as ‘backward looking’ rather than forward looking and too focused on proving over improving. Some believe applying an ‘agile’ approach in development would be more useful — the assumption being that if you design a program properly and iterate rapidly and constantly based on user feedback and data analytics, you are more likely…

  • Pros and Cons of Technology for Public Consultation

    New York | By on July 24, 2015 | Comments Off on Pros and Cons of Technology for Public Consultation

    The July 7th Technology Salon in New York City focused on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Public Consultation. Our lead discussants were Tiago Peixoto, Team Lead, World Bank Digital Engagement Unit; Michele Brandt, Interpeace’s Director of Constitution-Making for Peace; and Ravi Karkara, Co-Chair, Policy Strategy Group, World We Want Post-2015 Consultation….

  • 13 Tips for Creating Data Dashboards for Decision-Making

    New York | By on June 9, 2015 | Comments Off on 13 Tips for Creating Data Dashboards for Decision-Making

    The private sector has been using dashboards for quite some time, but international development organizations face challenges when it comes to identifying the right data dashboards and accompanying systems for decision-making. Our May 29th, 2015, Technology Salon (sponsored by The Rockefeller Foundation) explored data dashboards and data visualization for improved decision making with lead discussants…