Tech’s Progressive Future: Introducing The Chamber of Progress

When I went to work on Capitol Hill in 1996 for my hometown congressman, Democrat Cal Dooley from California’s agricultural Central Valley, I thought I’d learn a lot about farm policy. But I ended up getting hooked on tech policy.

Cal was also one of the founders of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of center-left House Democrats in the late 90s Clinton/Gore DLC mold. In the midst of the dot-com boom, these Democrats were among the first policymakers to travel to meet with Silicon Valley leaders and drive a policy agenda to encourage high-tech growth.

They not only succeeded, but for nearly two decades Democratic politicians (including then-candidate Barack Obama) continued to trek to Silicon Valley. I’ve been fortunate to work for Democratic officials and for the tech industry in Washington. And today, America is the world’s indisputable technological leader, with many countries having tried (and failed) to build their own Silicon Valleys.

Tech Has Been Progressive

Along the way, tech has also played a huge role in improving our society — democratizing access to information; giving visibility and voice to the marginalized, the whistleblower, the activist, and the previously unseen; creating new livelihoods, and “shared success,” for everyone from the Etsy seller to the Uber driver; driving down the cost of goods; cutting out expensive middlemen; and bringing nearly anything to most every door in under an hour, making it easier for all families to manage.

This technology-powered expansion of economic, educational, and social opportunity has advanced modern progressivism — the quest for greater opportunity and a more just society.

Despite the progressive change brought about by tech, the industry is no longer cute. It’s big, influential, and a huge part of both the economy and society. Instead of hoping to bask in Silicon Valley cool, many policymakers are now keeping a wary eye on an industry they previously embraced.

Understandable Scrutiny of Tech

This scrutiny is a sensible response to tech’s power. And while the current tech policy debate may be characterized by extreme reactions to industry’s enormous footprint, the next chapter will be a more sensible debate about how to protect the things that people love about technology, while curbing tech’s downsides. Consumers don’t want laws to mess up the services they love.

After having a twenty-year front row seat at the intersection of technology and Democratic politics, I’m excited to be launching a new organization to help ensure that technology’s future is as progressive as its past.

Introducing…the Chamber of Progress.

Chamber of Progress

We’re not just another business group. Everyone knows that a local “chamber of commerce” promotes business and free markets. We’re an industry group, but instead of focusing on commerce, the Chamber of Progress will promote a progressive high-tech society, economy, workforce, and consumer climate.

Tech companies make mistakes and have blind spots; the companies I worked sure did. And nearly every tech product is misused in some way by a small portion of its users. But even though the tech industry doesn’t always get it right, the vast majority of people working in the industry truly aim to do the right thing for society.

And just because technology has benefited society in past decades doesn’t mean technology’s progressive future is assured.

It’s vital that the industry carry its big role responsibly and fairly towards consumers, communities, workers, and other companies. It’s essential that our laws responsibly minimize technology’s excesses while preserving its benefits for society. And it’s crucial that all Americans benefit from technological leaps. Those are the challenges we’ll be tackling.

The Chamber of Progress will back public policies promoting:

• Economic progress, including combatting income inequality; promoting a bigger, modern social safety net; encouraging progressive taxation; and supporting reliable, win-win online marketplaces.
• Social progress, including promoting inclusive democracy; supporting bold action against climate change; promoting digital opportunity for all; and advocating for healthy and equitable online communities.
• Consumer progress, including promoting the principle that tech should always serve consumers’ interests; “building back better” by investing in communities and regulated innovation; increasing access to goods and information; and balancing consumer and worker concerns.

As the tech industry matures, its leaders can’t just speak up on the policy issues affecting their bottom lines. We have to speak up as Americans who want to help create a more perfect union — a society that works for all, and an economy that reflects the modern ways we live and work.

As we do this work, we’ll be informed by our volunteer Advisory Board — a diverse cross-section of leaders from government, Democratic politics, public interest, and industry. You can read more about this distinguished group, and about our corporate partners, here.

Technology has improved our lives in countless ways — and created more opportunity in our society. But the hard work of ensuring a progressive high-tech future is the next big task ahead.

We invite you to join us and follow our work on Twitter.