Technology and the Public Interest
Books, essays, and commentary from John Palfrey
Essays
Notes from AI Action Summit in Delhi, India, February 2026
Reflections on AI, governance, and the public interest from the AI Action Summit in Delhi.
Read essayConcord Free Public Library 150th Anniversary Celebration
Remarks on libraries, civic institutions, and the enduring importance of public knowledge.
Read essayInvesting in the Arts—in Chicago and Beyond
Thoughts on philanthropy, culture, and why investing in the arts matters for public life.
Read essayCommentary from John Palfrey
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Turkish Cyber Crime Law (2007), 5651
In Turkey this past week, the discussion revolved in large measure around a law passed in May, 2007, called 5651. It is this law that the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry is charged with implementing, including Internet filtering. Translation credits to Turkish lawyers: ELIG, Attorneys-at-Law. LAW ON REGULATION OF BROADCASTS VIA INTERNET AND PREVENTION OF CRIMES…
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International Debate on Internet Filtering
From Turkey, talking to lots of people about the future of Internet filtering, I’m struck by the value of a broad, public debate about what kind of a network we want the Internet to become over time. There are decisions, made on a daily basis, by dozens of states around the world, that affect the…
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Berkman Center and the Center for Future Civic Media
Not quite 10 years ago, a literally once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came my way: I got the chance to be the third executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard. It was about four years old. The Berkman Center was blessed with visionary founders and talented students. It had been set up by…
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Notes from AI Action Summit in Delhi, India, February 2026
It’s been a long time since I sat down to write a blog post like this. Why did I open my computer this morning and log in to WordPress? Somewhat to my surprise, a few people who saw I had been to Delhi, India, for the AI Impact Summit asked me if I would report…
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Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online (forthcoming, University of Chicago Press, 2025)
Eszter Hargittai and I have been working on a book project for the past few years about how older people use new technologies. We’ve been delighted to partner with editor Joe Calamia and his team at the University of Chicago Press. This week, they told us it will be on the Spring, 2025 list–through peer…
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Concord Free Public Library 150th Anniversary Celebration
John Palfrey, MacArthur Foundation, October 1, 2023 To all the people of Concord, Massachusetts, and particularly to the town’s fabulous library staff and supporters: congratulations on your 150th anniversary! Thank you for the honor of inviting me to share a few thoughts on this historic day, in this historic place. We should pause when things go…
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Investing in the Arts–in Chicago and Beyond
The International Council of the Museum of Modern Art Prepared RemarksThe Arts Club, Chicago, IL, April 2023 I too have called Chicago home for nearly four years now, since I was appointed President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. While MacArthur is rooted in our hometown, Chicago, we are proud of our…
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City Club of Chicago Address, Summer 2021
Prepared Remarks City Club of Chicago, July 28, 2021 Thank you, Jacki, for your kind introduction. And thanks to the City Club of Chicago for inviting me to speak at this virtual luncheon. I wish of course we were all together in person, having a nice pasta at Maggiano’s, but that will come in due…
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2021 World Health Day Keynote, University of Chicago
World Health Day Keynote Address Center for Global Health, University of Chicago John Palfrey, April 7, 2021 Thank you, Dr. Olopade, for your kind introduction. Thanks to Dean Gorman-Smith and all of you at the University of Chicago Center for Global Health for inviting me to speak this morning in honor of World Health Day.…
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2021 Klinsky Lecture, Harvard Law School
Klinsky Lecture: Technology in the Public InterestHarvard Law SchoolApril 2021John Palfrey Thank you, Dean Manning, for your kind introduction and for the opportunity to serve as the Klinsky Visiting Professor of Practice for Leadership and Progress in this auspicious year. It is such a treat to be back with all of you at Harvard Law…
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International Women’s Day 2021
I was very pleased to be able to join Hafsat Abiola, CEO of Women in Africa, to celebrate International Women’s Day for 2021. The video is posted. My fellow panelists were His Excellency Prof. Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria and Dr. Hassan El Shabrawishi, CEO of AXA in Africa. It was good to be able…