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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Start of School 2018
The New York Times published a terrific Magazine this Sunday on education. The cover reads: “Teachers just want to teach but the classroom has become a battleground.” I’m not sure that’s exactly “news” this fall but it is absolutely true. Two of the articles in particular were worth reading and reflecting on as we start…
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Celebration of AfLatAm@50 at Phillips Academy
John Palfrey Opening Remarks – Celebration of AfLatAm@50 April, 2018 Good evening. Let me please begin by thanking Emily Ndiokho, Class of 2018, for her leadership tonight in MC-ing this event and also for her leadership throughout her time at Andover. As president of AfLatAm this year — in fact, the 50th president of AfLatAm…
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Head of School Bookshelf, 2017-2018
Each term as head of school at Phillips Academy, I’ve put out a series of books for the faculty to enjoy. Colleagues are free to keep the books, pass them along to others, or bring them back to the bookshelf in the head of school’s office. I choose titles that relate in one way or…
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School heads stand in solidarity, call for action against gun violence
Gun violence must be addressed urgently. I can think of no topic more worthy of our nation’s leaders’ time and focus. Today, I join with fellow heads of school comprising the Eight Schools Association in support of the following statement: We, the heads of independent secondary schools comprising the Eight Schools Association, stand in solidarity with our students and…
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January 12 Community Letter
Today, I wrote to the Andover community with an update on new and ongoing initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. My full message can be read online.
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“Knowledge and Goodness: The Andover Campaign” launch speech
John Palfrey Remarks at Capital Campaign Launch Andover, MA September 2017 Thank you, Dana Delany, for your kind introduction and for everything you’ve done for Andover over the years. I also want to thank Peter Currie and the board of trustees for their leadership. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you. Thank…
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Opening All School Meeting, Phillips Academy, 2017-2018
All-School Meeting John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy September 13, 2017 Good morning, Andover! I am psyched to see you all here. The main point of this All School Meeting is simply for us to gather, in one space, to celebrate the start of the year. It’s a great chance to acknowledge the special…
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Start-of-School Message for our 240th Year at Andover
Dear Phillips Academy students: That school-is-about-to-start feeling is upon us. There are a few summer days left to enjoy, Labor Day weekend still to look forward to, and all the excitement of early fall just around the corner. I write in part just to say that I’m thinking of all of you and excited to…
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Head of School Bookshelf, 2016-2017 edition (combined)
Last academic year I kept up my tradition of putting out free copies of books on a bookshelf outside my office each term for the faculty to take and read but I didn’t manage to post the lists here on this blog as I went along. (Not that anyone complained!) I thought I’d put the…
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July 31 Community Letter
Today, Board President Peter Currie ’74, P’03, and I wrote to the Andover community with an update regarding an independent investigation into matters of past sexual misconduct. As we’ve sought to understand and learn from these most troubling moments in our school’s history, we remain grateful to all who have shared information with us over…
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Episode 06: Frank Stella ’54
Source: Episode 06: Frank Stella ’54
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Statement regarding past abuse at Andover
Today, we know that many schools, including Andover, have not always lived up to our commitment to protect students in our care. Over the past year, independent investigators from Sanghavi Law Office have been carrying out a review of all reports of sexual misconduct at our school. We have repeatedly asked community members to share…