In a rapidly evolving policy landscape, there is a critical need for ongoing, structured dialogue between policymakers, experts, and the broader civil society. The Block Center’s Tech Policy Forums aim to satisfy that need, and use the convening power and expertise of Carnegie Mellon University and Heinz College to discuss urgent questions facing our society.
Privacy regulation is an ideal first topic because it sits at the heart of nearly every modern policy debate surrounding technology, governance, and society. As data increasingly drives innovation, economic growth, and public service delivery, questions of how to protect individuals’ rights while enabling responsible technological advancement are urgent and unresolved. Focusing on privacy establishes a strong, cross-cutting foundation for future policy discussions on AI, data sharing, and digital trust.
Block Center Tech Policy Forum Recordings
Missed the live discussion or want to revisit key moments? Watch recordings from the Block Center Tech Policy Forum, featuring thought-provoking conversations with leaders at the forefront of privacy, regulation, and policy. Find all of the recorded panels on our YouTube playlist here.
Panels & Speakers
Welcome: Kirsten Martin, H. John Heinz III Dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Panel 1: What Is Privacy Online and Why Is It So Unregulated?
- This panel examines the current fragmentation of the U.S. privacy landscape, assessing which regulatory and institutional approaches have proven effective, where significant gaps remain amid emerging technologies, and which actors are best positioned to advance meaningful privacy protections.
- Panelists:
- Alessandro Acquisti (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); Julie Cohen (Georgetown University); Lorrie Cranor (CMU),
- Moderator:
- Kirsten Martin, H. John Heinz III Dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Panel 2: Why Doesn’t ‘Consent’ Work?
- This panel explores the limits of consent-based privacy frameworks, how authorized and unauthorized data use should be defined in practice, and how researchers and the public can better elevate these challenges for policymakers.
- Panelists:
- Antonio Rangel (California Institute of Technology); Florian Schaub (University of Michigan); Lior Jacob Strahilevitz (University of Chicago Law)
- Moderator:
- Kirsten Martin, H. John Heinz III Dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Panel 3: How to Identify and Measure Privacy Violations.
- This panel addresses the technical and policy challenges of determining when data can be considered identifiable, and how to assess whether data is being shared or used in ways that violate reasonable privacy expectations.
- Panelists:
- Serge Egelman (University of California, Berkeley); Christo WIlson (Northeastern University). Norman Sadeh (CMU)
- Moderator:
- Cesca Antonelli, Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg Industry Group
Panel 4: Privacy Harms and Firm Responsibility.
- This panel brings together experts to examine how privacy harms arise in practice and to reconsider the responsibilities of firms in preventing, mitigating, and being held accountable for those harms.
- Panelists:
- Laura Brandimarte (University of Arizona); Jonathan Kanter (CMU); Paul Ohm (Georgetown University).
- Moderator:
- Kirsten Martin, H. John Heinz III Dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
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| Alessandro Acquisti Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Laura Brandimarte University of Arizona |
| Julie Cohen Georgetown University |
| Lorrie Cranor Carnegie Mellon University |
| Serge Egelman University of California, Berkeley |
| Jonathan Kanter Carnegie Mellon University |
| Kirsten Martin Carnegie Mellon University |
| Paul Ohm Georgetown University |
| Antonio Rangel California Institute of Technology |
| Norman Sadeh Carnegie Mellon University |
| Florian Schaub University of Michigan |
| Lior Jacob Strahilevitz University of Chicago Law |
| Christo Wilson Northeastern University |
The Unlocking AI for Public Good event brought together leaders from Carnegie Mellon University, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and community organizations to explore how AI can strengthen public sector outcomes, broaden economic opportunity, and shape a responsible innovation ecosystem. Opening remarks from CMU Vice President for Research Theresa Mayer and Pennsylvania Secretary of Policy and Planning Akbar Hossain emphasized the Commonwealth’s historic moment. Major tech sector investments such as Amazon’s twenty billion dollar statewide commitment and deepening collaboration between CMU and state agencies are positioning Pennsylvania to lead nationally in responsible AI deployment. Speakers highlighted both the promise and risks of rapid technological adoption, noting examples from social services, transportation, healthcare, and education, and underscoring a shared commitment to ensuring that AI serves residents equitably and effectively.
The event’s panels explored how AI is reshaping systems across sectors and identified practical strategies for ethical, effective deployment. In the State of the Technology panel, CMU faculty stressed that AI must be tailored to real world problems, supported by high quality data, and accompanied by clear procurement guidance and stakeholder engagement. Panelists discussed both opportunities such as using AI to improve early intervention systems in mental health and homelessness and challenges including business value gaps, implementation constraints, inequality in access, and the need for transparent benchmarks. A second panel on Public and Private Partnerships highlighted how AI is already transforming workforce development, transportation management, small business support, and city operations across Pennsylvania. Leaders from Team PA, Partner4Work, the AI Strike Team, and Lucas Lane Consulting emphasized that successful deployment requires proactive community engagement, network based governance, and a focus on supporting rural and underserved areas so that AI adoption does not widen existing divides.
Together, these conversations underscored the event’s central message. Unlocking AI for public good requires coordinated leadership, intentional design, and strong partnerships across academia, government, industry, and communities.
9:00 - 9:15 — Opening Remarks
- Theresa Mayer, Vice President for Research, Carnegie Mellon University
- Akbar Hossain, Secretary of Policy and Planning, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9:15 AM — Plenary Keynotes:
Speakers:
- Kirsten Martin, Dean, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
- Sayeed Choudhury, Associate Dean for Digital Infrastructure, Carnegie Mellon University
- Christopher Phillips, Professor and Department Head of History, Carnegie Mellon University
9:40 - 10:40 AM — Panel 1: The State of the Technology
Moderator: Annie Newman, Director of Digital Strategy, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Panelists:
- Rayid Ghani, Distinguished Career Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
- Jodi Forlizzi, Herbert A. Simon Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
- Holly Wiberg, Assistant Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
10:40 - 10:50 AM — Coffee Break
10:50 - 11:50 AM — Panel 2: Public & Private Partnerships
Moderator: Ben Kirshner, Chief Transformation Officer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Panelists:
- Joanna Doven, Executive Director, AI Strike Team
- Robert Cherry, CEO, Partner4Work
- Abby Smith, President & CEO, Team Pennsylvania
- Kim Lucas, Principal, Lucas Lane Consulting
11:50 AM - 12:00 PM — AI Policy: The Future in Pennsylvania
Speakers:
- Akbar Hossain, Secretary of Policy and Planning, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Video Presentation: Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Amy Klinke, Assistant Vice President for Business Engagement, Carnegie Mellon University
12:00 - 1:00 PM — Lunch & CMU Engagements Showcase
Cole Gessner
Program Manager and Policy Coordinator
