The Center for Humane Technology (CHT) was officially established as a non-profit in 2018, but the idea behind the project started back in 2013 from a former Google Design Ethicist, Tristan Harris, who gave 2 TED talks and created a presentation on how tech companies could protect people from distractions. The idea came from his work in Google, where he observed how Google services required people to check their email and smartphone notifications frequently – and called for a more radical reimagining of the digital infrastructure we have.
The Center for Humane Technology’s mission is to enable a shift towards a more humane technology, in line with people’s well-being and democratic values, and one that reflects the shared information environment we live and work in. The non-profit center works with technology and advocacy experts from various industry fields, policymakers, business leaders, and other social partners. In 2020, the organisation also announced that its work has reached more than 100 million people all over the world.
