The Project
The story of technological revolution in modern America is dominated by the internet. With the click of a button, a person can instantly access troves of information that once filled entire libraries and disseminate their thoughts and experiences to millions of people. This democratization of knowledge and influence comes with incredible opportunities but also immense challenges. How should policymakers think about the digital platforms that have become embedded in our social and civic life?
To answer this question, the American Enterprise Institute invited leading scholars working at the intersection of technology, law, politics, and culture to meet and discuss some of the most pressing policy debates in this field: whether social media companies should be governed by antidiscrimination rules, whether it’s possible to reduce the knowledge gap between regulators and internet innovators, what best practices should guide improving broadband access for underserved communities, and much more. Their discussions gave rise to reports exploring these complicated questions. By offering multiple perspectives on key topics, the Digital Platforms and American Life project aims to clarify the points of debate and possibilities for agreement and reform as we continue to navigate our increasingly digitized world.
This report series is edited by AEI Senior Fellow Adam J. White, an expert on administrative law and telecommunications regulation. The project is generously supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
About AEI
The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.
AEI scholars are committed to making the intellectual, moral, and practical case for expanding freedom, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening the free enterprise system in America and around the world. Our work explores ideas that further these goals, and AEI scholars take part in this pursuit with academic freedom. AEI operates independently of any political party and has no institutional positions. Our scholars’ conclusions are fueled by rigorous, data-driven research and broad-ranging evidence.
For more information about AEI, please visit our main website.