From the Burnes Center

Power At Work Blogcast #41: BREAKING NEWS BLOGCAST: FTC Kills Non-Compete Agreements

Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris talks with Hannah Garden-Monheit about the FTC’s new rule that she drafted prohibiting employers from imposing non-compete agreements on…

Will GenAI Kill The Web?

Burnes Center Senior Fellow John Battelle shares his thoughts on The Atlantic’s article It’s The End of the Web As We Know It.

The Economic Case for “High Road” Labor Practices

Burnes Center Senior Fellow Anita McGahan shares the findings from her comprehensive study investigating the impacts if wage theft.

Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang’s “Job Description” — a guiding star for generative AI, participatory democracy, and healing online deliberation

Burnes Center Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp shares their experience hearing from Audrey Tang, Digital Minister of Taiwan.

New Jersey is turning to AI to improve the job search process

MyCareer.NJ.Gov exemplifies the critical role that public entities can play in harnessing AI for public good. As commercial websites and social media platforms proliferate, often…

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #13: April 23rd, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #11: April 9nd, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

Upskilling your workforce for the age of AI

Burnes Center Research Fellow Dane Gambrell shares the transcript of Director Beth Simone Noveck and Senior Fellow Seth Harris’s conversation with Rick Maher.

AI for Impact Trip to the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security

Burnes Center’s AI for Impact Co-ops went on a trip to the Executive Office of Technology Security and Services.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #10: April 2nd, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

New White House Guidance on AI: Strong on Skills, Short on Public Engagement

Burnes Center Senior Director Beth Simone Noveck shares her opinion on the new White House guidance on AI.

No. TV Advertising Is Not Going to Become “Performance Driven”

Burnes Center Senior Fellow John Battelle writes in his blog about the transition from cable to digital television.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #9: March 25th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #8: March 18th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

Let AI remake the whole U.S. government, with human ingenuity alongside data

Burnes Center Direct Beth Simone Noveck reflects on Josh Tyrangiel’s latest Washington Post article.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #7: March 14th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jay Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

InnovateUS releases results of listening series on federal and state AI training needs

InnovateUS has concluded a multi-month engagement process with 100+ AI leaders to gather input on the development of a new philanthropically-funded, national online training program…

Prices, jobs, access to groceries: What’s at stake as the FTC tries to kill the Kroger-Albertsons merger

The Burne’s Center’s Senior Fellow Seth Harris comments on the FTC’s push to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger as a potential victory for workers.

Don’t blame Biden’s dogs for the blood on the White House floors

The Burne’s Center’s Senior Fellow Jill Abramson shares her opinion on the Biden’s dog, Commander, and his biting attacks in the White House.

The January Impact Insider: The Burnes Center Quarterly Report

Guns, Narratives, and AI

Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University, Beth Simone Noveck explores how the same government-is-the-problem-not-the-solution narrative about guns has direct parallels…

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #5: February 20th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jacob Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

To Fight Extremism and Hate Speech Online, Invest in AI-Powered Content Moderation

The Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jacob Kemp analyzes how advanced AI could provide online content moderation.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #4: February 13th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jacob Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

AI for Impact Trip to the Museum of Science, Boston

Burnes Center’s AI for Impact Co-ops went on a trip to the Museum of Science to see the AI exhibits.

Making bureaucracy work for you in the public sector

Burnes Center’s InnovateUS’s Jess Silverman reflects on Marina Nitz’s workshop

Vint Cerf: Maybe We Need an Internet Driver’s License

Burnes Center’s Senior Fellow John Battelle reflects on his talk with Vint Cerf.

The Arms Race in Assistive AI

Burnes Center’s Director Beth Simone Noveck writes on how assistive AI could make it easier for lobbyists to draft “model bills”.

NEW REPORT: Brennan Center on AI and Congress

Burnes Center’s Director Beth Simone Noveck posts a clip from the Brennan Center for Justice’s new essay on AI and Congress.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #3: February 6th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jacob Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

Guns Are Not Just a Public Health Problem

Burnes Center’s Senior Fellow Jonathan M. Metzl, MD, PhD writes about guns being not only a threat to public health, but also a threat to…

A journalist assisted a woman’s quest for suicide. Did he get too involved?

Burnes Center’s Senior Fellow Jill Abramson comments on the importance of disclosing a journalist’s involvement in a story.

How AI can help reshape Congress

Burnes Center’s Director Beth Simone Noveck writes on how Congress can modernize its operations using AI.

Harvard students aren’t snowflakes

Burnes Center’s Senior Fellow Jill Abramson shares her opposing opinion to Ken Griffin’s statement that Harvard is failing to produce the next generation of leaders.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #2: January 30th, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jacob Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

Scandal at the Post Office: Technology on Tap, Justice on Top

The Horizon scandal plastering British headlines right now illuminates the dangers of misaligned human priorities.

Rebooting Democracy – News That Caught Our Eye #1: January 22nd, 2024

Updates, research, and change-making that caught Burne’s Center’s Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Fellow Jacob Kemp’s eye, stories related to ways in which AI is…

POPVOX releases new report on AI and legislatures

POPVOX Foundation has released a pathbreaking new report on AI and legislatures.

AI4 Impact: Transforming Higher Education through Experiential AI Learning

Burnes Center Senior Fellow David Fields discusses the transformative AI4Impact Co-op Program at Northeastern University.

Interview with Shannon Wait, Alphabet Workers Union-CWA Organizer

Burnes Center Research Fellow Dane Gambrell interviews Shannon Wait on the work AWU-CWA is doing to protect workers from risks posed by AI and the…

Harnessing AI to Improve Government Service and Customer Experience

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs on using AI to strengthen government services.

Full Testimony: Beth Simone Noveck on harnessing AI to improve government services and customer experience

The Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck testifies on harnessing AI to make government more effective, efficient, and responsive.

How AI Could Restore Our Faith in Democracy

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck discusses using AI to identify strategies to strengthen our democracy.

The Union Density Rate Likely Increased in 2023. You Read That Right.

Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris justifies his prediction that union density rates will have increased.

Grading my 2023 Predictions: The Batting Average Dips

Burnes Center Senior Fellow John Battelle grades his 2023 predictions for AI and more.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Tackle the Literacy Challenge

Why are only only 32% of American 4th graders proficient in reading? Visit unlockingliteracy.ai and help us diagnose why we are failing to teach our…

Collective Bargaining in 2023: End-of-Year Grades

As the year comes to an end, Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris discusses the collective bargaining of 2023.

Workers By The Numbers #14: Analyzing The November Jobs and Unemployment Report With Elise Gould and Rick McGahey

Alicia Modestino, Associate Professor at Northeastern University, hosts this month’s Workers by the Numbers Blogcast. Listen to her in conversation with Elise Gould and Rick…

Exploring the Power of Collective Intelligence: A Conversation with Prateek Buch and Brendan Arnold

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck interviews Prateek Buch and Brendan Arnold from the UK Government’s Policy Lab on Collective Intelligence.

Celebrating One Year of Putting Workers at the Center of the Power At Work Blog 

Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris celebrates the one year anniversary of the Power At Work by looking back at key moments for workers and…

How to Count Strikes and Collective Actions with Johnnie Kallas

This post is an edited interview of Johnnie Kallas, Director of the Cornell ILR Labor Action Tracker, conducted by the Labor Radio Podcast Network.

Sam Altman, One True Leader and the Missed Opportunity for Innovation

As we navigate the complexities of leadership in the age of AI and beyond, the question of how we structure our systems of governance –…

Picking the perfect experts: Smarter Crowdsourcing and solving Covid-19

Whether it’s the spread of Covid or a volcano erupting, governments have a duty to protect their citizens from harm. But often, our go to…

InnovateUS partners with New Jersey to launch free online course and explainer video to promote state employees’ responsible use of generative artificial intelligence

InnovateUS works with the State of New Jersey to promote state employees’ responsible use of generative artificial intelligence.

Was vTaiwan such a big flop, after all?

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck discusses vTaiwan, Taiwan’s flagship crowdlaw project.

Artificial Intelligence can help us create a more efficient government

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck weighs in on the use of AI in government.

Saving Yellow’s Union Jobs

Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris delves into on a bankruptcy case considering Yellow Corporation’s future and how it will impact union jobs.

Beth Simone Noveck | “Unlocking collective intelligence: AI’s role in enhancing democracy”

Weekly SRI Seminar Series welcomes Beth Simone Noveck, a professor at Northeastern University, where she directs the Burnes Center for Social Change and its partner…

AI for the People: A Federal Mandate for Inclusive Engagement

Artificial Intelligence is not just transforming economies and industries; it holds the key to revolutionizing public engagement with the federal government.

Modernizing Unemployment Benefits in New Jersey: A Case Study and Guide for Implementing New Technologies and Methods to Improve Benefit Systems

On September 20th, members of the New Jersey Office of Innovation, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Heldrich Center for…

Are we focusing too much on the risks of AI and not the potential for good?

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck discusses the President’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence.

Google.org support to train more government workers in digital skills

Burnes Center Director Beth Simone Noveck delves into the details of the $2 million in funding and pro bono support to InnovateUS.

The Impact Insider: The Burnes Center Quarterly Report October 2023

Burnes Center Quarterly Report October 2023

Why Are There So Many Strikes?

Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris delves into the role employers play in the surge of recent strikes.

Jennifer Pahlka on Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age

In a special InnovateUS event on September 7th, Jennifer Pahlka, Former Deputy Chief Technology under President Obama and founder of Code for America joined Steve…

Former Chief Innovation Officer for the US Department of Labor Addresses Public Service Professionals on the Future of Work

On Thursday, August 24th, over 80 public service professionals joined Burnes Center for Social Change Senior Fellow Chike Aguh, former Chief Innovation Officer at the…

The Role of Unions and Collective Bargaining As Temperatures Rise

Power At Work Blog Intern Asia Simms delves into the relationship between climate change and labor unions.

Power at Work Blogcast #15: An Interview with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

The Power At Work Blog proudly presents an exclusive and important interview with President Liz Shuler of the AFL-CIO as our second Labor Day blogcast.…

Join us for the Rebooting Democracy in the Age of AI Lecture Series

Join the Burnes Center and The GovLab as we talk with innovative designers, thinkers, and changemakers from around the world working to “do democracy” differently.…

The Threat of Heat to Worker Power

Power at Work Intern Asia Simms delves into the effect of climate change on worker power.

InnovateUS partners with U.S. Office of Personnel Management to engage 1,600 interns in digital and innovation trainings

In an effort to support our mission of delivering free online learning for public service professionals, InnovateUS, which provides no-cost at-your-own pace and live learning…

The Uncertain Future of Generation Z’s Work Lives

Power at Work Contributor Ingrid Berg discusses the way Generation Z’s careers may vary significantly from past generations’.

InnovateUS: Tackling Tough Problems to Improve Public Services

A cohorted learning program for public sector leaders and managers on how to tackle issues while executing change and delivering results.

The Kluz Prize for PeaceTech — Celebrating Innovation for a Peaceful World

Kluz Ventures proudly launches the Kluz Prize for PeaceTech 2023, an initiative designed to celebrate, recognize, and propel the groundbreaking use of cutting-edge technologies in…

The Fall 2023 Social Change Course Series

A collection of graduate courses that exemplify Northeastern University’s unwavering commitment to addressing pressing societal issues.

Power at Work Blogcast: Honoring National Whistleblower Day

In honor of National Whistleblower Day, Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris spoke with Siri Nelson and Stephen Kohn of the National Whistleblower Center, Dr.…

The Impact Insider: Burnes Center Quarterly Report July 2023

Burnes Center Quarterly Report July 2023

New Recommendations Released for Procurement of AI Tools in Government

The GovLab has released a new report offering recommendations for government in procuring artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

The Impact Insider: The Burnes Center Quarterly Report June 2023

Burnes Center Quarterly Report June 2023

InnovateUS releases “Unlocking the Power of Generative AI for Better Governance”

New InnovateUS tutorial teaches public sector professionals how to responsibly use Generative AI.