For centuries, civil society’s role has been to advocate for, protect and advance the interests of the vulnerable. This responsibility is of particular importance during periods of deep societal transformation (industrial revolution, armed conflict, political unrest, structural economic adjustment). Today the rift between technological impacts on social, moral and economic relationships and civil society’s responsive capacity calls into question whether each of those functions of advocacy, protection and advancement can be effectively performed.

This seminar recaps the structural, strategic, and tactical challenges civil society faces in responding to AI-driven technology transformation. We then identify some early successes in developing systemic responses and lays out a promising path for co-creation of a technological future rooted in human interest.