Day One Reflections from the Project Liberty Summit: Voice, Choice, and Stake in the Digital Age

Over the past 24 hours, I had the privilege of participating in the Project Liberty Summit in Washington, D.C. This gathering brought together global leaders across technology, policy, and civil society to confront some of the most pressing challenges in the digital landscape—from artificial intelligence and data privacy to the future of internet governance. Below are reflections on three key sessions I attended, each offering a unique lens on how we can shape a better digital future.

Broad Listening and the Fight for Free Will

In a session moderated by Zia Khan of the The Rockefeller Foundation , Audrey Tang and Joanna Shields explored the complex dynamics of today’s internet, the harms it perpetuates, and the opportunities to reclaim trust and agency.

Tang, Taiwan’s Minister of Digital Affairs, reflected on the dangers of “broadcasting polarization” in social media, where algorithms amplify divisive content. They countered this with examples from Taiwan, where broad listening systems and crowdsourced laws have proven effective in rebuilding trust and legitimacy. Tang also highlighted innovative efforts to "tune" AI systems to better align with societal needs. For instance, by allowing people to specify how AI systems should behave—whether as companions, moderators, or public governors—citizens are empowered to define the role technology plays in their lives.

Shields, the former U.K. Minister for Internet Safety, zeroed in on the business models driving today’s internet, arguing that the harms we see today stem largely from an ad-driven, attention economy. She made the case for subscription-based models, which can liberate users from exploitative dynamics and offer a path to navigating the information ecosystem with greater freedom. Shields framed this as a rare moment of opportunity: “For the first time in 15 years, you can navigate the web with your own free will.” However, she warned of the economic pressures AI companies face to monetize, urging vigilance to ensure the subscription model doesn’t drift toward surveillance or manipulation.

Both speakers stressed the importance of global regulatory coordination. Tang emphasized the role of AI safety networks and the concept of "selective disclosure" for privacy—allowing users to prove, for example, that they are over 18 without revealing excessive personal details. Shields noted that while AI companies are proactively building guardrails, the lack of universal signals, such as age verification systems, remains a critical gap to address.

AI and Democracy: Setting Rules of the Road

In a compelling discussion, Senator Amy Klobuchar shared her ongoing efforts to create bipartisan solutions for the challenges posed by AI and digital technologies. Her focus was clear: we must act now to ensure that AI serves humanity rather than undermines it.

Klobuchar spoke candidly about her work across the aisle, including collaborations with Ted Cruz and others to craft legislation that addresses high-impact AI use cases. She highlighted the dangers of deepfake technologies and their potential to disrupt democratic processes, pointing to examples from recent elections. While some states, like Texas and Minnesota, have banned harmful uses of deepfakes, Klobuchar stressed the need for a comprehensive federal framework.

Privacy was another major focus. Klobuchar noted a shift in Big Tech’s stance on federal privacy legislation—companies that once resisted regulation are now supporting it to avoid the complexities of inconsistent state laws. However, she warned against complacency, emphasizing the need to move beyond past grievances and focus on crafting forward-looking rules.

Her optimism about AI’s potential was tempered with caution. While AI could revolutionize fields like medicine and climate science, she reminded the audience that it’s "unknowable whether this technology will lead us to heaven or hell." The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Klobuchar’s message was clear: the time to lay the groundwork is now.

Reclaiming Data and Fixing the Internet

The final session I attended featured a panel with Frank McCourt , Cathy McMorris Rodgers , and Kellyanne Conway, who tackled the urgent need to reclaim control of personal data and align technology with democratic values.

Rodgers, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, stressed the foundational importance of a national data privacy standard, which she described as critical for safeguarding individuals in an increasingly invasive digital landscape. She linked this to broader issues, such as protecting children online and mitigating the risks of AI.

McCourt delivered a powerful critique of the current internet, describing it as "surveillance-based, autocratic, and centralized." He argued that the harms of today’s digital ecosystem—manipulated information, exploited vulnerabilities, and compromised democracies—stem from fundamental misalignments between technology and policy. “If we know something’s broken,” he said, “shouldn’t we fix it before we make it more powerful?” McCourt called for a reimagining of the internet, not through band-aid solutions like a "digital bill of rights," but by building a tech stack that reflects democratic principles and safeguards human rights.

Conway introduced a societal dimension to the debate, pointing out the growing number of Americans who live predominantly online. While digital spaces have enabled innovations like telehealth, they have also deepened isolation and reduced incentives for offline engagement. Conway emphasized the need for balance, ensuring that digital connectivity doesn’t come at the cost of human connection.

This session also touched on the challenges of regulating AI and privacy simultaneously. McCourt stressed the need to address foundational issues with existing technologies before accelerating their capabilities, while Rodgers highlighted the role of transparency in rebuilding public trust.

Final Reflections: A Call to Action

The sessions I attended during Day One of the Project Liberty Summit offered a clear takeaway: collaboration is essential. Whether it’s through broad listening systems, bipartisan policy efforts, or global regulatory coordination, the path forward requires us to work together to shape systems that prioritize voice, choice, and stake.

This is just the beginning.