Questions for Publix residents: "Tactical Tech”

What is the main focus of your work?

Tactical Tech is an international non-profit organisation based in Berlin that has been at the forefront of digital issues for the last 21 years. We enable individuals and communities to navigate how digital technologies change their lives and transform societies. 

In short, we deal with questions such as: which power structures are behind the technologies we use? How do these technologies shape opinions, impact democratic processes, and influence how societies respond to crises? We collaborate with a network of partners to advance understanding, build capacity, and promote critical thinking on these issues.

How do you do this?

We operate through the „Tactical Tech Studio" focused on digital literacy and the „Tactical Tech Institute for Digital Investigation“. At the Studio we develop creative, educational interventions that promote critical thinking about technology and its socio-political impact. We scale these interventions by partnering with local organisations that use and adapt them to engage their communities.

The „Tactical Tech Institute for Digital Investigation" advances understanding and skills within civil society through investigation, resource development, and skill-sharing. We build networks and foster critical skills among NGOs, journalists, and researchers, addressing the interplay between technology, power, and crises.

What is the ultimate goal of your work?

Our goal is to build the capacity of individuals and communities to navigate and shape our collective social, political and environmental futures within the context of digital transformation.

What gives you a headache?

The accelerating dependence on untested and problematic digital technologies, the tech sector's lack of accountability, policy-makers' reluctance to address these issues, and the rise of malicious actors exploiting digital vulnerabilities all contribute to increased societal polarisation, confusion, and fights for attention.

What has been your biggest success in recent months?

In 2023, Tactical Tech celebrated 20 years of work, having reached over 30 million people in more than 90 countries. We have built a network of over 150 global partners and made our resources available in 45 languages. Our Executive Director, Marek Tuszynski, was honored by Mozilla's Rise 25 Awards as one of 25 global leaders shaping the internet's future. And we launched "Everywhere, All the Time", a digital literacy intervention for teens on AI.

Who or what deserves more attention?

There are two main issues that need more attention. First, young people’s dependence on digital technology places them between technology developers, owners, and promoters who exploit attention-based business models and monetise personal data, and parents and educators who often lack a clear understanding of digital technology’s impact on youth. Second, the connection between the digital transition and the green transition is critical. Digital technology plays a significant role in how society, policymakers, and businesses perceive and address the scale of the crisis, as well as devising and implementing effective solutions.

What is the best reading material on the current situation? What should we be watching and listening to?

Our monthly "In the Loop" newsletter serves as a curated collection of resources, readings, and tools on digital literacy, digital influence, and the various ways technology impacts society. We also recommend two readings: "There Is Plastic in the Clouds" by our Executive Director, Marek Tuszynski, which explores how technology shapes our role in crises and its limitations; and the report "Digital Reset: Redirecting Technologies for Deep Sustainability Transformation", co-authored by our co-founder, Stephanie Hankey.

What are your hopes for the Publix initiative?

Publix offers a unique chance for collaboration, inspiration, and skill-sharing. We aim to use this collective power to drive critical discussions on technology’s impact on society and the role of civil society organisations in this debate. We hope to develop new initiatives leveraging the diverse skills and networks gathered under one roof. Our goal is for Publix to extend its influence, shaping global understanding of technology’s politics and connecting the public with the missions of its resident organisations.

Photo: ©Wael Eskandar