The Tech That Comes Next

Introduction

Welcome. Thank you. And hello.

We wrote this book for everyone; or, rather, for anyone. For anyone who thought there could be another way, there could be better outcomes, there could be different models to try. We hope that is you, so, welcome. And thank you for being here.

In the many conversations we have had with practitioners across many sectors during the development of this book, we found ourselves repeating a number of the same points about how to talk about the organizations, people, and systems involved in the work of using and building technology for changing the world. In the same spirit of those open and honest conversations, we want to invite you into some of the thinking and framing that shaped this book.

WHY US?

Both of us have worked in a diversity of spaces, including advocacy organizations, government, industry, and nonprofits—in the fields of philanthropy, capacity‐building, and policymaking. Through our work as strategists, organizers, researchers, technologists, and policymakers, we have focused on the ways that technology can power services and programs that benefit the communities where we live and all around the world. Between us we have been part of every stage of technology development—from design to testing to failure to trying again.

Although we are different people with different lived experiences, privileges, and perspectives, we share these same beliefs:

• Since humans create technology, it can't be neutral.
• Therefore, the opportunity ...