People-Centered Internet Announces Six “Areas of Focus” for 2020


Press Release — January 15, 2020

PALO ALTO, CA — People-Centered Internet (PCI) today announces its “Areas of Focus” for 2020.

The nonprofit organization dedicated to “working for an Internet that works for people” was cofounded in 2015 by Vint Cerf and Mei Lin Fung. In the coming year, PCI will support projects in six categories: (1) Internet Access & Connectivity, (2) People-Centered Apps & Content, (3) Ethics & Trust, (4) Diversity & Opportunity, (5) Digital Health & Security, and (6) Policy & Governance. 

PCI cofounder and chair Mei Lin Fung said, “Our six areas of focus for 2020 demonstrate the breadth of interests and expertise within our broad PCI Community and will provide structure for our activities as well as a framework for evaluating how our efforts contribute to each of these domains.”

Board Member, Marci Harris, explained that the six focus areas show that PCI is thinking beyond the goals of simply helping people around the world get connected to the Internet, but to ensure that connectivity leads to improved well being while ensuring safety for those who are coming online. “It is not enough to simply provide connectivity,” Harris said. “We have to encourage principled design, responsible business models, and digital safety. We also have to ensure that those building and benefitting from increased connectivity are representative of the populations they serve and that governments and elected officials are equipped with the knowledge to understand emerging issues and policy options.”

People-Centered Internet (PCI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to ensure that the Internet is a positive force for good, improving the lives and well-being of people around the world. This includes promoting connectivity, fighting disinformation, contributing to the discussion about technology ethics, supporting the development of people-centered applications and initiatives, advising policymakers, and leveraging technology to help communities be more resilient. 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.

Posted in Access & Connectivity, Content & Applications, Diversity & Opportunity, Ethics & Business Models, Health & Security, Mei Lin Fung, PCI News, Policy & Governing.

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  1. Pingback: February Update: Message from Mei Lin – People-Centered Internet

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