The UC Berkeley Tech Policy Summit, held Oct. 23 in the Pauley Ballroom, brought together leaders from academia, government, industry and advocacy to explore how California can continue to shape responsible technology governance. Hosted by the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP), the School of Information (I School), and CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, the event examined the intersection of research, public sentiment and policymaking in an era of rapid technological change.
After welcoming remarks from the deans of GSPP and the I School and CITRIS Director Alexandre Bayen, the morning opened with a lively panel, “The View from California: Public Opinion,” featuring researchers, advocates, policymakers and journalists who unpacked recent survey data on Californians’ attitudes toward technology. Discussion focused on public trust in tech companies, concerns about data privacy and online safety, and growing expectations for government oversight and accountability in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation highlighted a nuanced picture — Californians remain optimistic about innovation but increasingly demand fairness, transparency and ethical safeguards.
Two keynote addresses followed, offering insights from state leaders on the evolving tech policy landscape. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, a prominent voice on digital rights and environmental sustainability, underscored the legislature’s role in setting national precedents for protecting children from online harms and holding tech companies accountable for the environmental impact of their data centers. State Sen. Tom Umberg, drawing on his extensive experience in law and technology, emphasized bipartisan opportunities to ensure technology serves the public good, particularly through data security, digital equity and AI governance.
The late-morning panel, “The View from California: Tech Policy Progress and Aspirations,” took a deeper dive into the state’s recent legislative milestones. Panelists discussed bills advancing privacy, transparency and online safety, while sharing aspirations for more robust frameworks around algorithmic accountability, worker protections and maintaining the nation’s research capacity in the years ahead.
A midday keynote by Randi Michel, senior advisor for technology to Gov. Gavin Newsom, offered a forward-looking perspective on how California agencies are implementing innovative, responsible tech practices in government operations and public services.
The summit concluded with lunchtime policy roundtables, where attendees joined small-group discussions on next steps for research, advocacy and policymaking. Participants, including the 2024–25 UC Berkeley Tech Policy Fellows and Executive Fellows in Applied Technology Policy, shared ideas for cross-sector collaboration and strategies to align California’s innovation economy with public interest values.
Throughout the day, the summit fostered a spirit of constructive dialogue and collaboration, reaffirming California’s leadership in shaping a more ethical, inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Read more about UC Berkeley Tech Policy Week from the I School.