Working For An Internet That Works For People
Vision: PCI envisions a People-Centered sustainable future where digital systems serve People, Communities, and the Planet.
Mission: PCI Partners to Build Resilient Communities Enabled by Digital Infrastructure and Ecosystems, Informed by Local Priorities and Goals.
People-Centered Internet works to make sure that the Internet is a positive force for good, improving the lives and well-being of people around the world. Through our global initiatives, we promote connectivity, fight disinformation, add to the discussion about technology ethics, support the development of people-centered applications and initiatives, advise policymakers, and leverage technology to help communities be more resilient.
A Message from the founders
Vinton G. Cerf
“The People-Centered Internet (PCI) was founded in the belief that computers and networking could be the foundation for significant enhancement of the utility of the Internet for everyone. That the Internet and its applications have the innate ability to be powerful tools for progress has been demonstrated repeatedly ever since the operational beginning of the Internet and especially after the arrival of the World Wide Web. At the same time, we have learned from experience that this powerful platform can be and is being abused by people who do not have society’s best interests at heart. In the tussle between beneficial and harmful behaviors, our challenge is to preserve and encourage the former and discourage the latter. This should be a concern for all Internauts everywhere and is a key pillar of PCI focus from its founding. PCI welcomes all who feel a sense of mission aligned with the goal of making the Internet useful for everyone.”
Mei Lin Fung
“When we organized the 40th anniversary of the TCP/IP spec in 2014 I realized the global spread of the Internet was not a national or corporate or religious or political phenomenon but a rare and infinitely unique gift of people all over the world who wanted to bring it to their communities. We now face serious challenges as one of the most powerful tools in the hands of half of humankind, like fire, can be harnessed for good or bad. The People Centered Internet is just a short name for those who believe in an Internet by the people of the people and with the people of the world.”
PCI Cofounder, Mei Lin Fung leads an international delegation and members of the PCI Community on a tour of Sonoma County that included an introduction to library connectivity programs at Sonoma County Library and a discussion of agricultural tech at Iron Horse Vineyards.
PCI Community Call December 2022 - with Sneider Alfonso
Sneider has lived, traveled, or worked in 35+ countries worldwide. He has 6+ years of experience in business strategy and management, from large-scale organizations in the third sector to tech start-ups in America and Europe.
He is currently Operations Lead for the People-Centered Internet and was selected for the Young Challengers Program by the Grameen Creative Lab under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Sneider will open a conversation about Tech for Good and how we can create a world with three Zeros; Zero Poverty, Zero Net Carbon Emissions, and Zero Unemployment, as well as the impact of a Social Business Model.
How can technology solve the most pressing socio-environmental challenges through social business? Join us next Sunday to reflect and share your thoughts for a better world.
How PCI Works
As a volunteer-led organization, PCI supports mission-aligned projects by convening experts and stakeholders, producing papers and recommendations, and through project advising and fiscal sponsorship.
Areas of Current Focus
Get Involved
Subscribe to PCI updates
- Sign up for the Global Help Desk (link)
Request an invitation to the PCI Community
Work with PCI to convene experts on a mission-aligned topic*
Propose a PCI project*
Make a donation to PCI
* Use contact form to reach out to PCI