About Us

We envision a world with technology that respects our attention, improves our well-being, and strengthens communities.

Our Story

Tristan Harris giving a Ted Talk on stage

Our journey began in 2013 when Tristan Harris, then a Google Design Ethicist, created the viral presentation, “A Call to Minimize Distraction & Respect Users’ Attention.” The presentation, followed by two TED talks and a 60 Minutes interview, sparked the Time Well Spent movement and laid the groundwork for the founding of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT) as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2018.

While many people are familiar with our work through The Social Dilemma, our focus goes beyond the negative effects of social media. We work to expose the drivers behind all extractive technologies steering our thoughts, behaviors, and actions.

We believe that by understanding the root causes of harmful technology, we can work together to build a more humane future.

Our Work

Together with our partners, we are dedicated to leading a comprehensive shift toward technology that strengthens our well-being, global democratic functioning, and shared information environment. Our work focuses on:
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Producing perspective-shifting media to sound the alarm on technology’s impacts on people, institutions, and society
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Partnering with organizations and allies to pursue strategic solutions across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors
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Providing practical resources, from trainings to private briefings, that empower leaders to take bold coordinated action

Timeline of Notable Achievements

CHT expands its focus from the attention economy to extractive, runaway technology

Two of our co-founders explain the importance of addressing all extractive technology in our podcast episode “Here’s Our Plan And We Don’t Know”
At SXSW, Tristan Harris introduces “The Wisdom Gap” framework for understanding the “meta-crisis” that is exacerbated by runaway technology
After 12+ months of development, CHT launches Foundations of Humane Technology as a free course for product teams. Over 10,000 people register in its opening months
​​CHT explores ways to support the emerging humane tech financing ecosystem and signs on as an advisor to the BeKind Tech Fund
CHT continues to ​​explore ecosystem-shifting solutions with partners such as Integrity Institute and Frances Haugen
Tristan Harris appears on 60 Minutes days before the critical US midterm elections to explain how social media is undermining democracy

CHT shares expertise while developing new resources for technologists, parents, and educators

Tristan Harris is named as a TIME100 leader shaping the future
CHT develops its first course, Foundations of Humane Technology, condensing its expertise on how to build humane technology into an 8-hour credentialed course. It leverages 100s of beta testers to fine-tune the curriculum
CHT releases its Youth Toolkit, which is designed for young people ages 15-24
Tristan Harris testifies in a Senate Hearing on “The Hidden Risks of Technology”
CHT continues building awareness outlets, with appearances including The Daily Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, and The Joe Rogan Experience

CHT’s mission moves mainstream, reaching over 100 million people in 190 countries

CHT supports the development and release of the record-shattering Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma from director Jeff Orlowski-Yang on the existential threats posed by social media. The film later wins 2 Emmy’s
Tristan Harris testifies in a House hearing on Americans at Risk: Manipulation and Deception in the Digital Age
Tristan Harris presents at World Economic Forum in Davos, including “Tech Cannot be Trusted to Self-Regulate” debate and a NYT panel with Yuval Harari

CHT brings awareness to the systemic harms of the attention economy

CHT releases New York Times op-ed: Our Brains Are No Match for Our Technology
Tristan Harris is featured in Fortune's 25 Ideas That Will Shape the 2020s, among world leaders including Malala Yousafzai, Jamie Dimon, and Melinda Gates
CHT publishes its Ledger of Harms, which summarizes the latest research on extractive technology’s negative impacts on children, mental health, relationships, attention and cognition, sense-making, politics and elections, systemic oppression and more

Center for Humane Technology (CHT) is founded to build on the success of the Time Well Spent movement

Center for Humane Technology is co-founded by Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin, and Randima Fernando
Time well spent’ becomes tech’s next big debate

Major tech platforms announce new Time Well Spent features

Mark Zuckerberg on changes to its News Feed: “One of our big focus areas for 2018 is making sure the time we all spend on Facebook is time well spent
Google announces new initiative to improve digital wellbeing
YouTube releases “time watched” metric and “take a break” notification
Instagram introduces “You’re All Caught Up” checkmark
Apple introduces a dashboard, app limits, and additional parental controls

Core Team

Daniel Barcay

Executive Director
Daniel Barcay
Executive Director

Daniel Barcay is a technologist who is passionate about the immense power and promise of technology. A builder at heart, Daniel’s career has focused on creating global-scale technologies while driving wise and responsible practices around the rollout of new tech.

Daniel was a Product Vice President at Planet Labs, where he led teams building a planetary-scale platform enabling users to extract actionable insights from a deep stack of global-daily satellite images.

Prior to that, the Chief Technology Officer of Thiel Macro, where he focused on building predictive models of global-scale market phenomena. 

Daniel started his career as a software engineer at Google, helping build several prominent projects including Google Earth and Latitude, as well as conducting machine learning research. 

He has studied leadership development, team dynamics, and adult-developmental psychology. In his leadership development practice, he teaches fellow leaders the cognitive tools to embrace complexity and thrive amidst uncertainty.

Daniel was recently a research fellow in the Antikythera Program at the Berggruen Institute - a think tank reorienting planetary computation as a philosophical, technological, and geopolitical force. 

In his spare time, he loves to fly various forms of powered and unpowered aircraft.

Maria Bridge

Strategic Advisor
Maria Bridge
Strategic Advisor

Maria Bridge is the Chief Operating Officer at Center for Humane Technology. In her role, Maria oversees CHT’s programmatic work, manages the team and all operations, and leads strategic planning and goal setting for the organization. 

Prior to joining Center for Humane Technology, Maria served as Chief Operating Officer at Understood, a $30M a year non-profit with over 125 staff. She also spent 9 years at Bain & Company, where she led projects for Fortune 500s on strategic growth, consumer behavior change, and organizational change. Later, she held operational roles at Warby Parker and sweetgreen during early growth stages. She received her MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. 

Maria currently resides in the Hudson Valley area of New York State. She is an avid rock climber and dedicated meditation practitioner. She has spent over 100 days in silent meditation retreat, including a 28-day monastic style retreat. She is grateful to be able to combine her background in behavior change, mindfulness, and strategic team management through her work at CHT.

Camille Carlton

Policy Director
Camille Carlton
Policy Director

Camille is the Policy Director at Center for Humane Technology. In this role, she steers the organization’s policy strategy, supporting policy initiatives that help align technology with the public interest.

Named Business Insider's AI 100 in 2023, Camille has been published in outlets such as Science and Tech Policy Press and has been featured in The New York Times. Before joining CHT, Camille examined issues of platform power and accountability, governance, and shared prosperity at UC Berkeley.

Camille is an Aspen Tech Policy Hub Fellow and holds a master’s degree in economic development from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sasha Fegan

Content Director
Sasha Fegan
Content Director

Sasha has almost two decades of experience working in the media, primarily at ABC Radio National in Australia. As a senior producer, she specialized in international politics and history, working across flagship national current affairs, international politics, and ideas programs. More recently, she was a researcher at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, working on a project examining how emerging technology challenges the international order and democratic norms. Sasha has taught courses on the geopolitics of cybersecurity and information warfare at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University. She holds a Masters of Security and Strategy and a Bachelor of Arts with first class Honors in History.

Randima Fernando

Co-Founder
Randima Fernando
Co-Founder

Randy has presented on the intersection of technology, mindfulness, and social impact to the world’s leading technology companies, NGOs, and government agencies. He is a Co-Founder and former Executive Director of Center for Humane Technology, which has helped over 100 million people globally understand the harms of extractive technology through the documentary film The Social Dilemma, the podcast Your Undivided Attention, and many other initiatives. Randy started his career at NVIDIA, where he led many award-winning projects and authored three #1-ranked books on 3D graphics over seven years. Additionally, he was a founding Board Member of the NVIDIA Foundation. Randy then served for seven years as founding Executive Director at Mindful Schools, a nonprofit that has taught mindfulness to millions of kids and over 70,000 educators worldwide. He is also on the board of Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Pete Furlong

Lead Policy Researcher
Pete Furlong
Lead Policy Researcher

Pete is the Lead Policy Researcher at the Center for Humane Technology. In this role, he helps provide the foundational analysis and research that underpins CHT’s policy approach.

With a Master’s concentrating in mechatronic design from the University of Pennsylvania, Pete spent the first stage of his career focused on hardware development for robotics, drones, and autonomous systems at a high tech startup. Instead of engineering new technologies, he has since pivoted to focus on the policy drivers and incentives that shape our technology ecosystem. He leverages his expertise and understanding of the technology industry to drive effective policy change.

Previous to joining CHT, he worked at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, where his work focused on the geopolitical challenges emerging from the global internet and artificial intelligence. This included analyzing global AI governance, internet infrastructure, and the role of technology companies as geopolitical actors.

Julie Guirado

Operations Director
Julie Guirado
Operations Director

Julie Guirado is the Operations Director at the Center for Humane Technology. In her role, Julie oversees the strategic planning and execution of all operational processes to ensure optimal efficiency and productivity.

Prior to joining the Center for Humane Technology, Julie directed finance and operations teams across non-profit, for-profit, and entrepreneurial ventures. Her extensive experience spans over 30 countries, where she led diverse, multicultural teams. Known for her ability to introduce the right level of processes, she ensures that operations are both effective and sustainable without unnecessary complexity.

Julie is originally from France where she received her Masters in Management from ESSEC Business School. She also received an MBA from the EGADE Business School in Mexico. Julie also studied psychology at Harvard University, UC Berkeley and holds an executive certificate in leadership coaching from Georgetown University.

Now based in New York City, Julie enjoys rock climbing, reading, cooking and practicing mindfulness. She finds herself at home at Center for Humane Technology where she draws upon her business acumen, psychological insights, and strategic thinking to address what she considers the most critical challenges of the 21st century.

Abby Hall

Director of Scheduling & Advance
Abby Hall
Director of Scheduling & Advance

Abby has dedicated her career to service and the betterment of people's lives through collaborations with companies, governments and nonprofits. With extensive experience in managing high-profile public and press events for gubernatorial and mayoral administrations, as well as CEOs, world leaders, and national and international press, Abby brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Her specialties include strategic planning, scheduling, event management, team building, and fundraising, all of which she approaches from a values-based perspective that emphasizes the importance of connection and community.

Tristan Harris

Co-Founder
Tristan Harris
Co-Founder

TristanHarris.com

Tristan Harris has spent his career studying how today’s major technology platforms have increasingly become the social fabric by which we live and think, wielding dangerous power over our ability to make sense of the world. Named to the TIME 100 “Next Leaders Shaping the Future” and Rolling Stone Magazine’s “25 People Shaping the World,” Tristan is Co-Founder of the Center for Humane Technology, which is catalyzing a comprehensive shift toward humane technology that operates for the common good, strengthening our capacity to tackle our biggest global challenges. He is the Co-Host of “Your Undivided Attention,” consistently among the top ten technology podcasts on Apple Podcasts, which explores how social media’s race for attention is destabilizing society and the vital insights we need to envision solutions. Tristan was also the primary subject of the acclaimed Netflix documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” which unveiled the hidden machinations behind social media and has reached an estimated 100 million people worldwide, streaming in 190 countries in 30 languages. He has briefed heads of state, technology company CEOs, and members of the US Congress, in addition to mobilizing millions of people around the world through mainstream media campaigns.

From his childhood as a magician, to his coursework in Stanford’s Persuasive Technology Lab and later as a Design Ethicist at Google, Tristan has explored the influences that hijack human attitudes, behaviors and beliefs. Following his 2013 viral internal presentation at Google, “A Call to Minimize Distraction & Respect Users’ Attention,” which sounded the alarm on the harms posed by the attention economy, Tristan began to surface these issues in public conversation via 60 Minutes and a TED Talk in 2017. The deep resonance of the ideas led to the Time Well Spent movement, which sparked product changes at Facebook, Apple, and Google, and laid the groundwork for the launch of the Center for Humane Technology as an independent nonprofit in 2018.

Lizzie Irwin

Public Affairs Coordinator
Lizzie Irwin
Public Affairs Coordinator

Lizzie is the Public Affairs Coordinator at the Center for Humane Technology. She is passionately curious about the intricate relationship between media, technology, and politics. She has extensive research experience across intersecting issues in media and communication, including online misinformation and extremism, sustainability and internet infrastructures, and digital rights. Lizzie is a New Jersey native and holds a master’s degree in media and communication governance from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in political communication from the George Washington University.

Julie Johnston

Executive Business Partner
Julie Johnston
Executive Business Partner

As a parent, Julie became interested in understanding and preventing the harms caused by social media and technology addiction. At CHT she is able to utilize her experience and skill set to advance the purposeful work of the organization. She acts as a force multiplier and thought partner to Aza Raskin while keeping him on time and on target.

Julie began her career in the dot com heyday of Silicon Valley with IBM Global Services leading software development projects before becoming a freelance consultant. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Brown University and her personal interests include yoga, gardening, skiing, and solving all sorts of puzzles.

Fun fact: after Julie’s initial foray into technology, she made a career pivot and pursued her passion for flowers; she worked as a professional floral designer in the Bay Area for over a decade.

Jeffrey Ladish

AI Insights Lead
Jeffrey Ladish
AI Insights Lead

As the director of Palisade Research, Jeffrey specializes in assessing the offensive capabilities of current AI systems to understand the risks posed by AI misuse and loss of control scenarios. Jeffrey previously worked at Anthropic through his security consulting firm Gordian. Jeffrey has been instrumental in developing secure infrastructure for various tech companies, philanthropic organizations, and existential-risk projects. His research has covered cybersecurity and AI intersections, emerging biotechnological threats, and nuclear warfare risks. Jeffrey has advised state and federal government offices on AI and emerging technological risks. Outside of work, Jeffrey is passionate about rollerblading, skiing, snowboarding, and exploring remote, serene locations.

Josh Lash

Researcher/Producer
Josh Lash
Researcher/Producer

Josh is a Brooklyn-based journalist and audio storyteller. Prior to CHT, he produced shows for NPR, Audible, and Turner Classic Movies as well as several independent audio projects. Josh was part of the award-winning team at The Markup that exposed racial bias in the PredPol predictive policing software and, as a Stabile Investigative Fellow at Columbia University, he uncovered systemic abuses in the special education system. Josh is excited to bring his production and journalism toolkits together as producer and researcher for "Your Undivided Attention.” He is passionate about the mission of building a more humane future through education.

AJ Marechal

Lead Writer
AJ Marechal
Lead Writer

AJ Marechal is a writer known for fusing grounded, accessible storytelling with high-concept ideas and philosophy. Her professional writing experience spans from journalism to screenwriting, and she has staffed on TV shows for networks including FX and Hulu. Throughout her writing career, AJ has maintained a keen interest in how technology transforms social, cultural, psychological and emotional systems. She is passionate about articulating that transformation to the world, and believes strong, clear narratives are an essential part of unlocking a better future. AJ graduated from NYU with a degree in Philosophy. In her spare time, she is an avid dancer.

Kirsten McMurray

Associate Producer, Your Undivided Attention Podcast
Kirsten McMurray
Associate Producer, Your Undivided Attention Podcast

Kirsten is an associate producer on the Your Undivided Attention podcast and a project manager at Center for Humane Technology. She previously oversaw operations for 10+ years at a small film production company for an award-winning filmmaker. Before that, she attended The University of Texas at Austin where she earned a degree in Communication. She’s a seasoned operator and proud generalist who relishes using her creative background in the context of mission-based work.

Noelle Mietus

Executive Assistant
Noelle Mietus
Executive Assistant

Noelle keeps a pulse on the rhythm of CHT operations. She manages strategic time planning, prioritization, and project management for the Executive Director, Daniel Barcay. Inspired by CHT’s mission, she values contributing a robust knowledge of systems and strategy to a team of aligned leaders.

Prior to joining CHT, Noelle held operations management roles across a diverse range of companies. She excels in mission-driven environments, identifying opportunities for growth, impact, and collaboration throughout. At the heart of her work is aligning organization objectives with creative solutions.

Based in the Bay Area, Noelle is a certified breathwork facilitator, dedicated meditation practitioner, and passionate about community weaving, innovation, sustainability, and spending time outdoors.

Casey Mock

Chief Policy & Public Affairs Officer
Casey Mock
Chief Policy & Public Affairs Officer

Casey is an attorney and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. He has served governors of both parties: as a state senate-confirmed appointee of Governor Phil Scott to lead the Vermont Economic Progress Council, and as a director of budget policy and analysis during Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration. Casey also spent nearly 4 years on the public policy team at Amazon and led nationwide state and local tax policy for the company.

Earlier in his career, he specialized in field operations for USAID-funded local governance strengthening and rural development programs in settings like Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe.

Casey’s works of creative nonfiction were past selections as a finalist for the Santa Fe Writers Project Non-fiction Literary Award and a semi-finalist for the Tucson Festival of Books Non-fiction Literary Award. His writing has appeared in Bethesda Magazine and Reed Magazine.

Aza Raskin

Co-Founder
Aza Raskin
Co-Founder

Aza is the co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, was an architect and subject of the documentary The Social Dilemma, and is the co-host of the popular podcast Your Undivided Attention. He is also a National Geographic Explorer and co-founder of Earth Species Project, a nonprofit dedicated to translating animal communication. Trained as a mathematician and dark matter physicist, he has taken three companies from founding to acquisition, has been a co-chairing member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Al, briefs heads of state, and helped found Mozilla Labs, in addition to being named FastCompany’s Master of Design, and listed on Forbes and Inc Magazines 30-under-30.

Julia Scott

Senior Producer, Your Undivided Attention Podcast
Julia Scott
Senior Producer, Your Undivided Attention Podcast

Julia is a journalist and storyteller whose award-winning career spans The New York Times Magazine, Best American Science Writing, Best American Essays, Nautilus, NPR, the BBC, the CBC, Pushkin Industries and other major outlets. She is a veteran of three newsrooms and a former editor at San Francisco NPR station KQED. Her work on Your Undivided Attention explores some of her favorite themes: humane evolution, existential risk and old-fashioned cooperation.

Jessica Smorowski

Operations Manager
Jessica Smorowski
Operations Manager

Jessica is the Operations Manager at Center for Humane Technology. She is driven by a profound belief in the power of mission-driven work and brings many years of operations experience to the team, primarily from her work with conservation based nonprofits. By focusing on optimizing systems and fostering supportive work environments, Jessica helps build a foundation for programmatic success.

Outside of work, she enjoys ample time offline in the wilds of her home state, Montana. Jessica believes that together, we can make a meaningful impact and leave a legacy of positive change for future generations.

Careers

At CHT, we co-create a vibrant, mindful, intellectually rigorous, values-driven culture. Ideal candidates will be curious, care deeply about human potential, and be highly motivated to drive large-scale culture change.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

If you have questions, please contact us at jobs@humanetech.com

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Board of Directors

Lea Endres

Co-Founder & CEO
NationBuilder

Tristan Harris

Co-Founder & President
Center for Humane Technology

Ben Rattray

Founder & CEO
Change.org

Premal Shah

Co-Founder
Kiva.org

Peter Wang

Thanks to our generous lead supporters

Link to Craig Newmark Philanthropies websiteLink to Omidyar Network websiteLink to Evolve Ventures websiteLink to Craig Newmark Philanthropies websiteLink to Silicon Valley Community Foundation websiteLink to Silicon Valley Community Foundation websiteLink to Open Society Foundations websiteLink to Patrick J. McGovern Foundation websiteLink to Ford Foundation websiteLink to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation websiteLink to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation websiteLink to Knight Foundation websiteLink to J.W. Couch Foundation websiteLink to One Project websiteLink to Park Foundation websiteLink to John Pritzker Family Fund websiteLink to Pritzker Innovation Fund websiteLink to Pritzker Innovation Fund websiteLink to zero1derful.org websiteLink to SN Charitable Foundation websiteLink to Park Foundation website

FOUNDING ALLIES, KEY ADVISORS & COMMUNITY

Dr. Guillaume Chaslot

Founder, AlgoTransparency.org

Renée DiResta

CHT Founding Advisor
Research Manager, Stanford Internet Observatory

Joe Edelman

Co-Founder, Time Well Spent
Philosopher, Social Scientist; Former CTO, CouchSurfing

Lynn Fox

CHT Founding Advisor
Principal, Fox Communications

Tom Gruber

Co-Founder, Siri

Jonathan Haidt

Social psychologist, NYU Stern; Author, The Coddling of the American Mind

Chris Hughes

Co-Founder, Facebook

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn

Founder, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Dan Kedmey

Your Undivided Attention Podcast, Founding Producer

Dr. Robert Lustig

Professor Emeritus, UCSF

Roger McNamee

CHT Founding Advisor, Co-Founder, Elevation Partners, Silver Lake Partners

Cathy O’Neil

Author, Weapons of Math Destruction

Sandy Parakilas

Senior Product Marketing Manager, Privacy, Apple

Hong Qu

Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School; YouTube’s First Designer

Justin Rosenstein

Co-Founder, Asana; Co-Inventor, Facebook ‘Like’ Button

Marietje Schaake

International Policy Director, Stanford University's Cyber Policy Center

Dr. Natasha Schüll

Professor, NYU; Author, Addiction by Design

Evan Sharp

Co-Founder & COO, Pinterest

Max Stossel

CHT Education Advisor, Poet, Filmmaker, Speaker

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Co-Founders, Archewell Foundation

K. Krasnow Waterman

Visiting Scientist, MIT

James Williams

Co-Founder, Time Well Spent

Philosopher at Oxford Internet Institute; Ex-Google

Tim Wu

Professor, Columbia Law School; Author, The Attention Merchants

John Zimmer

Co-Founder & President, Lyft