The Burnes Center for Social Change
@burnescenter.bsky.social
Accelerating the path from idea to implementation through social change education, research, and activation.
https://burnes.northeastern.edu
https://burnes.northeastern.edu
Predictive policing is failing because it predicts police activity, not crime.
A smart new piece on the #RebootDemocracy Blog by Mihir Kshirsagar of @princetoncitp.bsky.social breaks down how diagnostic data can actually reduce harm and improve safety.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/why-goo...
A smart new piece on the #RebootDemocracy Blog by Mihir Kshirsagar of @princetoncitp.bsky.social breaks down how diagnostic data can actually reduce harm and improve safety.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/why-goo...
November 17, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Predictive policing is failing because it predicts police activity, not crime.
A smart new piece on the #RebootDemocracy Blog by Mihir Kshirsagar of @princetoncitp.bsky.social breaks down how diagnostic data can actually reduce harm and improve safety.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/why-goo...
A smart new piece on the #RebootDemocracy Blog by Mihir Kshirsagar of @princetoncitp.bsky.social breaks down how diagnostic data can actually reduce harm and improve safety.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/why-goo...
🇧🇷 Brazil is turning 1.5M civic votes into real policy with AI.
Christiana Freitas & Ricardo Poppi show how a new open-source system is helping process public input at scale and strengthening participatory democracy.
🔗 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/global-...
#GlobalAIWatch
Christiana Freitas & Ricardo Poppi show how a new open-source system is helping process public input at scale and strengthening participatory democracy.
🔗 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/global-...
#GlobalAIWatch
November 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🇧🇷 Brazil is turning 1.5M civic votes into real policy with AI.
Christiana Freitas & Ricardo Poppi show how a new open-source system is helping process public input at scale and strengthening participatory democracy.
🔗 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/global-...
#GlobalAIWatch
Christiana Freitas & Ricardo Poppi show how a new open-source system is helping process public input at scale and strengthening participatory democracy.
🔗 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/global-...
#GlobalAIWatch
Cities are using AI to solve real problems, from evictions to civic engagement. But is it enough to make government better, not just faster?
RethinkAI’s new report, featured on the #RebootDemocracy Blog, lays out a new model: Adapt. Listen. Trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai
#RebootDemocracy #CivicAI
RethinkAI’s new report, featured on the #RebootDemocracy Blog, lays out a new model: Adapt. Listen. Trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai
#RebootDemocracy #CivicAI
October 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Cities are using AI to solve real problems, from evictions to civic engagement. But is it enough to make government better, not just faster?
RethinkAI’s new report, featured on the #RebootDemocracy Blog, lays out a new model: Adapt. Listen. Trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai
#RebootDemocracy #CivicAI
RethinkAI’s new report, featured on the #RebootDemocracy Blog, lays out a new model: Adapt. Listen. Trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai
#RebootDemocracy #CivicAI
💡 In this week’s Private Innovation in the Public Interest episodes, Anita McGahan speaks with Professors Lamar Pierce and Elizabeth Embry.
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
October 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
💡 In this week’s Private Innovation in the Public Interest episodes, Anita McGahan speaks with Professors Lamar Pierce and Elizabeth Embry.
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
NYC has 2,800+ public spaces.
But no easy way to find them.
chriswhong.bsky.social built a map
using open data, AI, and “vibe coding.”
Open data isn’t just transparency.
It’s an infrastructure for public good.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/vibe-co...
#ResearchRadar #RebootDemocracy
But no easy way to find them.
chriswhong.bsky.social built a map
using open data, AI, and “vibe coding.”
Open data isn’t just transparency.
It’s an infrastructure for public good.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/vibe-co...
#ResearchRadar #RebootDemocracy
October 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
NYC has 2,800+ public spaces.
But no easy way to find them.
chriswhong.bsky.social built a map
using open data, AI, and “vibe coding.”
Open data isn’t just transparency.
It’s an infrastructure for public good.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/vibe-co...
#ResearchRadar #RebootDemocracy
But no easy way to find them.
chriswhong.bsky.social built a map
using open data, AI, and “vibe coding.”
Open data isn’t just transparency.
It’s an infrastructure for public good.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/vibe-co...
#ResearchRadar #RebootDemocracy
📖 Read this week’s News That Caught Our Eye: rebootdemocracy.ai/newsthatcaug...
This week’s reporting captures the widening gap between AI adoption and the structures meant to guide it. Together, it sketches the messy yet essential evolution toward accountable, civic-aligned AI.
#RebootDemocracy
This week’s reporting captures the widening gap between AI adoption and the structures meant to guide it. Together, it sketches the messy yet essential evolution toward accountable, civic-aligned AI.
#RebootDemocracy
October 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
📖 Read this week’s News That Caught Our Eye: rebootdemocracy.ai/newsthatcaug...
This week’s reporting captures the widening gap between AI adoption and the structures meant to guide it. Together, it sketches the messy yet essential evolution toward accountable, civic-aligned AI.
#RebootDemocracy
This week’s reporting captures the widening gap between AI adoption and the structures meant to guide it. Together, it sketches the messy yet essential evolution toward accountable, civic-aligned AI.
#RebootDemocracy
💡 In this week’s Private Innovation in the Public Interest episodes, Anita McGahan speaks with Professors Andrew Foley and András Tilcsik.
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
October 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
💡 In this week’s Private Innovation in the Public Interest episodes, Anita McGahan speaks with Professors Andrew Foley and András Tilcsik.
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
Listen here! open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
The Burnes Center, @northeasternu.bsky.social, and the @massdot.bsky.social, hosted Department of Transportation representatives from several states for a two-day peer exchange about unlocking the benefits of AI. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event! Photo credit Edgar Domínguez.
October 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The Burnes Center, @northeasternu.bsky.social, and the @massdot.bsky.social, hosted Department of Transportation representatives from several states for a two-day peer exchange about unlocking the benefits of AI. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event! Photo credit Edgar Domínguez.
Yesterday, NASPO awarded The Burnes Center and @thegovlab.org's AI for Impact Program and its students the 2025 Cronin Prize for Procurement Excellence and the inaugural Academic Collaboration Award for our work with the @massgov.bsky.social.
October 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Yesterday, NASPO awarded The Burnes Center and @thegovlab.org's AI for Impact Program and its students the 2025 Cronin Prize for Procurement Excellence and the inaugural Academic Collaboration Award for our work with the @massgov.bsky.social.
💡This week on Private Innovation in the Public Interest: Anita speaks with Professors F. Christopher Eaglin and Jillian Chown about the resilience of South Africa’s minibus drivers and what’s going on in your doctor’s mind as you make care decisions.
Listen here open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
Listen here open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
October 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM
💡This week on Private Innovation in the Public Interest: Anita speaks with Professors F. Christopher Eaglin and Jillian Chown about the resilience of South Africa’s minibus drivers and what’s going on in your doctor’s mind as you make care decisions.
Listen here open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
Listen here open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
📣 Spain’s Supreme Court just made algorithmic transparency a constitutional right. A huge step forward for democracy.
@jlmarti.bsky.social breaks down the significance of the Bosco ruling and why it matters beyond Spain.
🧵 Read: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/the-jud...
#GlobalAIWatch #DigitalDemocracy
@jlmarti.bsky.social breaks down the significance of the Bosco ruling and why it matters beyond Spain.
🧵 Read: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/the-jud...
#GlobalAIWatch #DigitalDemocracy
October 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
📣 Spain’s Supreme Court just made algorithmic transparency a constitutional right. A huge step forward for democracy.
@jlmarti.bsky.social breaks down the significance of the Bosco ruling and why it matters beyond Spain.
🧵 Read: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/the-jud...
#GlobalAIWatch #DigitalDemocracy
@jlmarti.bsky.social breaks down the significance of the Bosco ruling and why it matters beyond Spain.
🧵 Read: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/the-jud...
#GlobalAIWatch #DigitalDemocracy
Today on Reboot Democracy: A close review of friend.com, the AI “wearable” marketed across NYC subways as a cure for loneliness.
It listens, responds, and records, without consent. What should we do about it?
📖 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/friend-...
#ResponsibleAI #TechEthics #RebootDemocracy
It listens, responds, and records, without consent. What should we do about it?
📖 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/friend-...
#ResponsibleAI #TechEthics #RebootDemocracy
September 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Today on Reboot Democracy: A close review of friend.com, the AI “wearable” marketed across NYC subways as a cure for loneliness.
It listens, responds, and records, without consent. What should we do about it?
📖 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/friend-...
#ResponsibleAI #TechEthics #RebootDemocracy
It listens, responds, and records, without consent. What should we do about it?
📖 rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/friend-...
#ResponsibleAI #TechEthics #RebootDemocracy
Congress adopts Copilot. Spain backs algorithmic transparency. Trump-linked firms profit from AI chip diplomacy. And a new guide reframes participation platforms as governance choices.
📖 Read this week’s News That Caught Our Eye: rebootdemocracy.ai/newsthatcaug...
📖 Read this week’s News That Caught Our Eye: rebootdemocracy.ai/newsthatcaug...
September 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Congress adopts Copilot. Spain backs algorithmic transparency. Trump-linked firms profit from AI chip diplomacy. And a new guide reframes participation platforms as governance choices.
📖 Read this week’s News That Caught Our Eye: rebootdemocracy.ai/newsthatcaug...
📖 Read this week’s News That Caught Our Eye: rebootdemocracy.ai/newsthatcaug...
💡 In this week’s Private Innovation in the Public Interest episodes, Anita McGahan speaks with:
🌍 James Orbinski on humanitarianism, dialogue & dignity.
📈 Leandro Nardi on why CSR often fails & how great firms thrive socially + financially.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🌍 James Orbinski on humanitarianism, dialogue & dignity.
📈 Leandro Nardi on why CSR often fails & how great firms thrive socially + financially.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
September 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
💡 In this week’s Private Innovation in the Public Interest episodes, Anita McGahan speaks with:
🌍 James Orbinski on humanitarianism, dialogue & dignity.
📈 Leandro Nardi on why CSR often fails & how great firms thrive socially + financially.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🌍 James Orbinski on humanitarianism, dialogue & dignity.
📈 Leandro Nardi on why CSR often fails & how great firms thrive socially + financially.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🎙️ TOMORROW at 2PM ET: Join Senior Fellow Dr. @alisterfmartin.bsky.social for a free InnovateUS workshop on how AI is cutting through red tape to unlock access to SNAP, WIC, Lifeline, and more.
💻 Register here: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
💻 Register here: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
September 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
🎙️ TOMORROW at 2PM ET: Join Senior Fellow Dr. @alisterfmartin.bsky.social for a free InnovateUS workshop on how AI is cutting through red tape to unlock access to SNAP, WIC, Lifeline, and more.
💻 Register here: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
💻 Register here: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
💡 How can AI help people enroll in federal benefits?
Join Dr. @alisterfmartin.bsky.social for an @innovateus.bsky.social workshop on how improve equity in benefit enrollment using AI.
@linkhealth.bsky.social, @ahdemocracy.bsky.social
📅 Sept 17, 2pm ET
💻 Register: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
Join Dr. @alisterfmartin.bsky.social for an @innovateus.bsky.social workshop on how improve equity in benefit enrollment using AI.
@linkhealth.bsky.social, @ahdemocracy.bsky.social
📅 Sept 17, 2pm ET
💻 Register: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
September 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
💡 How can AI help people enroll in federal benefits?
Join Dr. @alisterfmartin.bsky.social for an @innovateus.bsky.social workshop on how improve equity in benefit enrollment using AI.
@linkhealth.bsky.social, @ahdemocracy.bsky.social
📅 Sept 17, 2pm ET
💻 Register: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
Join Dr. @alisterfmartin.bsky.social for an @innovateus.bsky.social workshop on how improve equity in benefit enrollment using AI.
@linkhealth.bsky.social, @ahdemocracy.bsky.social
📅 Sept 17, 2pm ET
💻 Register: innovate-us.org/leveraging-a...
🚀 Join our Reboot Democracy Workshops this fall, an @innovateus.bsky.social series led by @bethnoveck.bsky.social, @thegovlab.org and Danielle Allen, @harvardash.bsky.social
Real practitioners, real tools starts Sept 11! Learn more and register for workshops: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/reboot2...
Real practitioners, real tools starts Sept 11! Learn more and register for workshops: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/reboot2...
September 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🚀 Join our Reboot Democracy Workshops this fall, an @innovateus.bsky.social series led by @bethnoveck.bsky.social, @thegovlab.org and Danielle Allen, @harvardash.bsky.social
Real practitioners, real tools starts Sept 11! Learn more and register for workshops: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/reboot2...
Real practitioners, real tools starts Sept 11! Learn more and register for workshops: rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/reboot2...
🚀 NEW: Free @innovateus.bsky.social AI workshops for the public sector coming this fall!
👮♀️ AI for Law Enforcement
🗳️ AI for Democratic Engagement
📢 AI for Public Communications
Practical 1-hour sessions to level up your AI skills.
Learn more and sign up: innovate-us.org/blog/new-inn...
👮♀️ AI for Law Enforcement
🗳️ AI for Democratic Engagement
📢 AI for Public Communications
Practical 1-hour sessions to level up your AI skills.
Learn more and sign up: innovate-us.org/blog/new-inn...
August 20, 2025 at 7:59 PM
🚀 NEW: Free @innovateus.bsky.social AI workshops for the public sector coming this fall!
👮♀️ AI for Law Enforcement
🗳️ AI for Democratic Engagement
📢 AI for Public Communications
Practical 1-hour sessions to level up your AI skills.
Learn more and sign up: innovate-us.org/blog/new-inn...
👮♀️ AI for Law Enforcement
🗳️ AI for Democratic Engagement
📢 AI for Public Communications
Practical 1-hour sessions to level up your AI skills.
Learn more and sign up: innovate-us.org/blog/new-inn...
Prof @mrsethharris.bsky.social presented our skills-based hiring in state government project at the @gitlab.com/OpenAI
Demo Day.
▶️ Learn about our work with @stateofnewjersey.bsky.social to address barriers to employment for workers w/out college degrees burnes.northeastern.edu/skills-first...
Demo Day.
▶️ Learn about our work with @stateofnewjersey.bsky.social to address barriers to employment for workers w/out college degrees burnes.northeastern.edu/skills-first...
August 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Prof @mrsethharris.bsky.social presented our skills-based hiring in state government project at the @gitlab.com/OpenAI
Demo Day.
▶️ Learn about our work with @stateofnewjersey.bsky.social to address barriers to employment for workers w/out college degrees burnes.northeastern.edu/skills-first...
Demo Day.
▶️ Learn about our work with @stateofnewjersey.bsky.social to address barriers to employment for workers w/out college degrees burnes.northeastern.edu/skills-first...
📺 Now live! Prof @mrsethharris.bsky.social will present the Burnes Center's skills-based hiring in state government pilot project at the @gitlab.com Foundation and OpenAI Demo Day.
Watch the livestream:
forum.openai.com/public/event...
Watch the livestream:
forum.openai.com/public/event...
August 11, 2025 at 10:31 PM
📺 Now live! Prof @mrsethharris.bsky.social will present the Burnes Center's skills-based hiring in state government pilot project at the @gitlab.com Foundation and OpenAI Demo Day.
Watch the livestream:
forum.openai.com/public/event...
Watch the livestream:
forum.openai.com/public/event...
📚 On Friday, David Fields discussed how AI is transforming learning at a @northeasternu.bsky.social panel.
Watch our recent @innovateus.bsky.social workshops on evidence-based strategies & practical solutions to improve literacy outcomes: innovate-us.org/workshop-ser...
Watch our recent @innovateus.bsky.social workshops on evidence-based strategies & practical solutions to improve literacy outcomes: innovate-us.org/workshop-ser...
July 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
📚 On Friday, David Fields discussed how AI is transforming learning at a @northeasternu.bsky.social panel.
Watch our recent @innovateus.bsky.social workshops on evidence-based strategies & practical solutions to improve literacy outcomes: innovate-us.org/workshop-ser...
Watch our recent @innovateus.bsky.social workshops on evidence-based strategies & practical solutions to improve literacy outcomes: innovate-us.org/workshop-ser...
🎧 New on Private Innovation in the Public Interest with @anitamcgahan.bsky.social
🎙️ Ep 42: Eppa Rixey on how a developer worked with local groups in MA to repurpose space for the community
🎙️ Ep 43: Ilze Kivleniece on effective mutual understanding
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🎙️ Ep 42: Eppa Rixey on how a developer worked with local groups in MA to repurpose space for the community
🎙️ Ep 43: Ilze Kivleniece on effective mutual understanding
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
July 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🎧 New on Private Innovation in the Public Interest with @anitamcgahan.bsky.social
🎙️ Ep 42: Eppa Rixey on how a developer worked with local groups in MA to repurpose space for the community
🎙️ Ep 43: Ilze Kivleniece on effective mutual understanding
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🎙️ Ep 42: Eppa Rixey on how a developer worked with local groups in MA to repurpose space for the community
🎙️ Ep 43: Ilze Kivleniece on effective mutual understanding
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🤖📚 AI is transforming education! Join us for @northeasternu.bsky.social GSE's panel on AI and education and learn about the Burnes Center's ongoing Equitable Literacy Initiative.
📅 July 25, 3 p.m.
📍 ISEC, Boston
Register: eventregistration.northeastern.edu/event/fe0c73...
📅 July 25, 3 p.m.
📍 ISEC, Boston
Register: eventregistration.northeastern.edu/event/fe0c73...
July 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
🤖📚 AI is transforming education! Join us for @northeasternu.bsky.social GSE's panel on AI and education and learn about the Burnes Center's ongoing Equitable Literacy Initiative.
📅 July 25, 3 p.m.
📍 ISEC, Boston
Register: eventregistration.northeastern.edu/event/fe0c73...
📅 July 25, 3 p.m.
📍 ISEC, Boston
Register: eventregistration.northeastern.edu/event/fe0c73...
🎧 New on Private Innovation in the Public Interest with @anitamcgahan.bsky.social
🎙️ Ep 40: Asst Prof Gabriel Cavalli on how AI can answer important health questions
🎙️ Ep 41: Prof Pushpika Vishwanath on stakeholder engagement and manager accountability
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🎙️ Ep 40: Asst Prof Gabriel Cavalli on how AI can answer important health questions
🎙️ Ep 41: Prof Pushpika Vishwanath on stakeholder engagement and manager accountability
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
July 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
🎧 New on Private Innovation in the Public Interest with @anitamcgahan.bsky.social
🎙️ Ep 40: Asst Prof Gabriel Cavalli on how AI can answer important health questions
🎙️ Ep 41: Prof Pushpika Vishwanath on stakeholder engagement and manager accountability
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🎙️ Ep 40: Asst Prof Gabriel Cavalli on how AI can answer important health questions
🎙️ Ep 41: Prof Pushpika Vishwanath on stakeholder engagement and manager accountability
Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/3eQJntT...
🇪🇺 @bethnoveck.bsky.social keynoted the EuroPCom Conference, exploring how AI can help rebuild trust in democracy. The conference brought together communicators, leaders & changemakers to discuss bridging gaps between policies & people's realities. 🤝 #europcomm
@northeasternu.bsky.social
@northeasternu.bsky.social
July 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
🇪🇺 @bethnoveck.bsky.social keynoted the EuroPCom Conference, exploring how AI can help rebuild trust in democracy. The conference brought together communicators, leaders & changemakers to discuss bridging gaps between policies & people's realities. 🤝 #europcomm
@northeasternu.bsky.social
@northeasternu.bsky.social