COVID-19

To study epidemics is to understand a society’s structure, standards of living, and political priorities.
― Frank Snowden, Yale Historian

COVID-19 demonstrates the power of technology platforms to give three billion people the right information and to enable coordinated actions in the face of a life-and-death, globally connected threat. For the first time, technology companies took on a direct public responsibility, designing and curating life-saving information while presenting targeted actions to flatten the curve.

Beyond COVID-19 looms long-standing and chronic societal challenges such as climate change and inequality. It’s imperative that as we address this pandemic, we also envision and build societal infrastructures that will enable us to address these other threats.

Here you will find CHT’s key COVID-19 resources as well as other helpful articles.

Articles & Resources

Principles for Humane Technology

Published by Center for Humane Techology

Digital Well-Being Guidelines for Parents

Published by Center for Humane Techology

Technology Platforms Must Operate for the Public Good

Milken Institute’s Power of Ideas oped, Tristan Harris

This Is Silicon Valley’s Chance to Step Up for Humanity

Wired oped, Tristan Harris

From Inform to Persuade: How Can Tech Step Up for Humanity?

Medium oped, Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin

In a Pandemic Tech Platforms Need to Think Like Newsrooms

Medium oped, David Jay

Podcasts Episodes

Your Undivided Attention is CHT’s podcast series covering an array of issues, including tech policy and tech impact on elections. Hosted by Tristan Harris, President and co-founder of CHT and his fellow co-founder Aza Raskin.

Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity? with Prof. Michael Sandel

Tech leaders promise AI will bring unprecedented abundance. But what happens to human dignity when our labor becomes obsolete? In this episode, Michael Sandel explores why AI-driven prosperity could leave society hollow — and the lessons we can learn from the recent past.

June 26, 2025

The Narrow Path: Sam Hammond on AI, Institutions, and the Fragile Future

AI development is racing ahead without guardrails, creating an unstable dynamic that could end in dystopia or chaos. Sam Hammond joins to explore how we can find the narrow path between these extremes—before it's too late.

June 12, 2025

People are Lonelier than Ever. Enter AI.

We’ve long connected through our machines—now we’re connecting to them. On this episode, Daniel Barcay, MIT’s Sherry Turkle, and Hinge’s Justin McLeod discuss AI’s growing role in love, therapy, and connection. And what the rules of engagement should be.

May 30, 2025

External Resources

13 Things Tech Companies Can Do to Fight Coronavirus

An open letter from technologists, epidemiologists & medical professionals

The Pandemic is a Portal

The Financial Times, Arundhati Roy

Coronavirus is Not Just a Tragedy. It’s an Opportunity to Build a Better World

Vox, Roge Karma

Screen New Deal

The Intercept, Naomi Klein

We are Not Going Back to Normal

MIT Technology Review,  Gideon Lichfield