On March 9 2023, it is once again time for The State of the Internet, a gathering to discuss the big issues of privacy, platformisation, self-determination and digital rights. This year's lecture will be led by writer, artist, journalist and technologist James Bridle (they/them). Bridle explores how radical technological models can decentralise power. The lecture is in English.
About James Bridle
James Bridle works as a writer, artist, journalist and technologist. Their artworks have been commissioned by galleries and institutions and exhibited worldwide. Bridle writes about literature, culture and networks and has been published in magazines and newspapers including Wired, the Atlantic, the New Statesman, the Guardian and the Financial Times.
With a background in computer science, they consider the question of what intelligence is. In the new book Ways of Being, Bridle considers the fascinating, uncanny and multiple ways of existing on Earth. They wonder what it means to be intelligent? Is it something unique to humans or do we share it with other creatures? And what can we learn from the intelligence of the natural systems that surround us?
About The State of the Internet
On 15 January 2019, Waag kicked off the first edition of The State of the Internet. Since then, we have been commemorating annually the moment when, for Amsterdam, the internet became accessible as a public domain. This year, it has been 29 years since the Digital City opened its doors and the internet became publicly accessible. During the first edition in 2019, professor of media and digital society José van Dijck delivered the lecture, zooming in on the role of platforms in our public space. In 2020, Jaap-Henk Hoepman, expert on privacy by design, addressed our digital identity. In 2021, Sennay Ghebreab spoke about bias in algorithms. In 2022 Nani Jansen Reventlow, award-winning human rights lawyer specialising in strategic litigation at the intersection of human rights, social justice and technology delivered the lecture.
Missed the previous lectures? You can find them here (all in Dutch):
- The State of the Internet 2019
- The State of the Internet 2020
- The State of the Internet 2021
- The State of the Internet 2022
The State of the Internet 2023 is organised by Waag, SIDN, the SIDN fund and the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA), Singel Uitgeverijen and De Groene Amsterdammer. For years, the SIDN Fund has supported internet initiatives that shape a strong internet in which public values are safeguarded. Money should not be a barrier in learning about ways to improve our internet. If the admission fee prevents you from attending, email puck@waag.org, so we can make sure you can attend The State of the Internet.
