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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 1h

Guest host Amy Winecoff (CDT Senior Technologist) joins CDT Non-Resident Fellow Umang Bhatt to unpack how documentation can build trust, support accountability, and shape responsible AI deployment.

Tech Talks: AI Documentation

As AI systems become more embedded in critical decisions—from healthcare to hiring—the need for transparency and trust has never been greater. But how do we document these powerful tools in a way that’s both meaningful and actionable? In this episode, we’ll welcome back Umang Bhatt, Assistant Professor in Trustworthy AI at the University of Cambridge and […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 1h

NEW TECH TALKS: As AI systems shape decisions in healthcare, hiring, and beyond, the need for transparency has never been greater. How can we document these tools in ways that are both meaningful and actionable? Tune into the latest episode on AI Documentation: cdt.org/insights/tec...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 21h

CDT’s own Tom Bowman joins the conversation to discuss how weakening encryption threatens privacy and security worldwide. Learn more:

Global Encryption Day 2025- Rights, Risks, and the Future of Encryption

Date: October 16, 2025 Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. IST/ 9:00 – 10:00 am EDT Venue: Online To mark the Global Encryption Day 2025, join SFLC.in for a panel discussion exploring the technological and rights-based implications of breaking end-to-end encryption (E2EE). As global and national policy shifts increasingly threaten encryption, this conversation will examine what’s at […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 21h

To mark #GlobalEncryptionDay, SFLC.in is hosting a panel on the global & rights-based implications of breaking #E2EE.

📅 Oct 16 | 🕘 9–10am ET / 6:30–7:30pm IST

Join experts examining what’s at stake for privacy, cybersecurity & digital rights. cdt.org/event/global...

Infographic of CDT’s Tom Bowman’s Global Encryption Day panel titled “Rights, Risks and the Future of Encryption.” Global Encryption Day 2025 is on October 16th, 2025. Orange and green gradient.

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 23h

“Their [the letter’s] critique is not that deepfake harms are illusory, but that Congress is reaching for a blunt instrument where a scalpel is required.” Read the full coalition letter:

CDT Leads Civil Society Letter Opposing the NO FAKES Act

On Tuesday, CDT led a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee expressing concerns with the NO FAKES Act. Alongside civil society partners including ACLU, Copia Institute, Defending Rights & Dissent, EFF, Fight for the Future, the Organization for Transformative Works, Public Knowledge, and Woodhull Freedom Foundation, CDT expressed concerns with the bill’s notice-and-stay-down system that […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 23h

“In a coalition letter, orgs incl, the Association of Research Libraries, @ccianet.bsky.social, & CDT warn that the NO FAKES Act, as drafted, could chill lawful speech, trigger expansive litigation, and erode fair uses and other speech-protective doctrines.”

Can Congress Outlaw the Doppelgänger?

The NO FAKES Act targets deepfakes with broad likeness rights, but critics say it would chill speech and creativity and prefer narrower laws.

intpolicydigest.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 1d

Read the full report from CDT’s Elizabeth Laird, Maddy Dwyer, + Hannah Quay-de la Vallee:

Hand in Hand: Schools’ Embrace of AI Connected to Increased Risks to Students

Artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to alter the educational experiences of teachers, students, and parents during the 2024-25 school year. The frequency and variety of AI uses continues to grow; at the same time, the increased use of AI in educational settings is correlated with heightened risks to students. This report details the current status […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 1d

“A recent report from the Center for Democracy and Technology found four main risks that increase as schools adopt AI more widely: cyber attacks, bullying, technology malfunctions and troubling interactions with chatbots.”

CDT: Growing AI Use in Schools Brings Benefits and New Risks

A recent report from the Center for Democracy and Technology found four main risks that increase as schools adopt AI more widely: cyber attacks, bullying, technology malfunctions and troubling interactions with chatbots.

www.govtech.com

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

Read CDT’s blog on the confusing, dangerous rules around digital searches: cdt.org/insights/no-... cc: CDT’s @jakelaperruque.bsky.social

No Warrants and Half a Dozen Different Rules: The Convoluted and Dangerous Status of the Border Search Exception

This is the second in a series of blog posts regarding Customs and Border Protection searches of digital devices. Imagine you live in the western United States and are planning a vacation to Europe, returning with a connecting flight somewhere on the east coast. When you arrive in the U.S., the government may invoke the […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

A Massachusetts immigration attorney had his phone seized by border agents — no warrant required. Cases like this show why the “border search exception” is ripe for abuse. www.miamiherald.com/...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

Each is essential to ensure AI systems further agencies’ missions—without harming the people public benefits are meant to support.
Read more:

Rethinking the Loop: Encircling Public Benefits AI with Human Oversight

Report is also authored by Kevin De Liban Acknowledgements This report was co-authored by the Benefits Tech Advocacy Hub and CDT. This report was informed by a workshop designed to solicit the expertise of advocates, government officials, legal and technical experts, and recipients of public benefits. Their contributions were invaluable to the creation of the […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

We outline five key components agencies need to get it right. 👇

✅ Inclusive engagement
✅ Enabling conditions for oversight
✅ Adequate resourcing
✅ Tools & frameworks for oversight
✅ Training & information

Rethinking the Loop: Encircling Public Benefits AI with Human Oversight

Report is also authored by Kevin De Liban Acknowledgements This report was co-authored by the Benefits Tech Advocacy Hub and CDT. This report was informed by a workshop designed to solicit the expertise of advocates, government officials, legal and technical experts, and recipients of public benefits. Their contributions were invaluable to the creation of the […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

ICYMI: Our report, Rethinking the Loop, digs into what effective human oversight of public benefits AI really looks like.

Rethinking the Loop: Encircling Public Benefits AI with Human Oversight

Report is also authored by Kevin De Liban Acknowledgements This report was co-authored by the Benefits Tech Advocacy Hub and CDT. This report was informed by a workshop designed to solicit the expertise of advocates, government officials, legal and technical experts, and recipients of public benefits. Their contributions were invaluable to the creation of the […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

🚨 Ticket sales for #TechProm2025 close today! 🚨

Don’t miss CDT’s biggest celebration of the year—an evening of inspiration, connection, & impact in support of civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age.

📅 Oct 23 | 🕕 6–10 PM | 📍 The LINE DC
🎟️ Grab your spot: cdt.org/event/2025-t...

Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

As part of this year’s #FOSO2025 conference, don’t miss @ashkhen.bsky.social, India McKinney, @rude1.blacksky.team & Ryan Carroll as they unpack Section 230’s misunderstood legacy and its role in protecting users worldwide. 10/28 @ 1pm ET: standtogether.swoogo...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

Free expression online faces new challenges—from AI to government pressure on platforms. At this year’s #FutureOfSpeechOnline 2025, experts will explore what’s at stake for speech in the digital age.

🗓️ Oct 28 & 29 | 🕛 12–3pm ET
🎟️ standtogether.swoogo...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

“This shift in policy also signals a change in the US’ stance on internet freedom globally. Once a global leader in championing individual rights & freedoms, the US is now peer to nations w/ authoritarian surveillance regimes, getting closer to actors that are not respectful of individual rights.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

NEW BLOG: CDT Intern Bhavana Bheem compares the govt’s social media monitoring policies to practices in Indonesia, Turkey, the UAE & China, showing how they can become a tool for surveillance, self-censorship, & social control — putting freedom of expression at real risk.

Echoes of Authoritarianism: A Comparative Study of US Social Media Monitoring for Immigration with Global Parallels

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

Read the full report from CDT’s Elizabeth Laird, Maddy Dwyer, and Hannah Quay-de la Vallee:

Hand in Hand: Schools’ Embrace of AI Connected to Increased Risks to Students

Artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to alter the educational experiences of teachers, students, and parents during the 2024-25 school year. The frequency and variety of AI uses continues to grow; at the same time, the increased use of AI in educational settings is correlated with heightened risks to students. This report details the current status […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

"’This technology is a new vector for sexual harassment and bullying, which were long-standing issues [before widespread use of AI],’ [CDT’s] Laird says, ‘and this has become a new way to exacerbate that.’” www.npr.org/2025/10/...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

CDT’s Elizabeth Laird: "I think students should know that they are not actually talking to a person. They are talking to a tool, and those tools have known limitations. Our research suggests that the AI literacy and the training that students are getting are very basic." www.npr.org/2025/10/...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

NPR spotlights new CDT research: “New survey data finds that nearly 1 in 5 high schoolers say they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with artificial intelligence. And 42% of students surveyed say they or someone they know have used AI for companionship.” www.npr.org/2025/10/...

Illustration from a from NPR headline titled “1 in 5 high schoolers has had a romantic AI relationship or knows someone who has.” Figures sitting back to back, engaging on digital devices, one in shadow.

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Reposted by Center for Democracy & Technology

Jake Laperruque @jakelaperruque.bsky.social · 6d

Rules for warrantless border searches of electronic devices have become complex and convoluted - you can @cdt.org analysis if you want to see the full legal landscape of what rules apply at each airport across the country:
cdt.org/insights/no-...

Map titled “Judicial Requirements of ‘Forensic Searches’ When Crossing the Border.” Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are marked in light blue, denoting “Reasonable Suspicion of Digital Contraband.” Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia are marked in teal, denoting “Reasonable Suspicion of Ongoing Border-Crimes.” Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are marked in dark blue, denoting “Reasonable Suspicion of Border-Crimes.” Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota are marked in orange, denoting “No Suspicion Required.” The remaining states are marked in grey, denoting “No Clear Rule.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

CDT’s Harper: “What we learned from consultants is that they expect more pressure to use AI more aggressively for persuasion, for targeting and messaging, for creating video, audio & image generations. The interest of staying competitive might push campaigns to push boundaries.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 5d

“@tharper.bsky.social, a senior policy analyst at CDT, said that early polling led by his organization suggests that political consultants across the political spectrum, who in recent years were hesitant to use AI, might be more open to the technology.”

Political Strategists Are Embracing AI

As campaigns face pressure to produce ads that pop in a crowded media environment, they’re turning to artificial intelligence to gain attention.

www.notus.org

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