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Erica Stanley
Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor
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Code & Conscience #007
Code & Conscience is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about how we as technologists–builders, creators, and leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it.
In this Issue
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Tech is not Neutral
We'll address how platforms, algorithms, and AI are actively shaping political narratives, amplifying some voices while silencing others and discuss how we can use tech without getting played.
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On My Bookshelf
A few interesting books on infrastructure, systems thinking, greed and power. I'm recommending these books because they've shaped how I think about tech and human systems.
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What I'm Up To
Here I'll share what I've been working on including community events and getting back to startup advising and investing, plus some personal news, and a preview of what's next.
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Can Algorithms Drive Revolution? The Digital Age of Dissent
Technology is not a neutral, impartial, fence-sitter. The people behind the technology have intentions. More often than not, strings are being pulled from behind the curtain. Think about it, why are some accounts shadow banned? Why do dissenting posts mysteriously vanish during protests? Why are some political content favored at the expense of others?
Technology shapes what we see, what we say, and who hears it. It’s the new infrastructure of activism. From livestreams that expose police brutality to government-orchestrated internet blackouts during elections, the digital arena is where power is gained, manipulated, or erased. And in the age of AI and algorithmic influence, social and political agendas are getting more sophisticated, targeted, and harder to detect.
Let’s talk about the myth: “Tech is just a tool.” On paper, sure. But in reality, the platforms you post on, the algorithms that curate your feed, the AI that recommends what you read, these are not open, agnostic systems. They are engineered with bias, influenced by politics, and sometimes optimized for control.
For example, Twitter (sorry, X), wasn't just a social media platform in the last US election. It was a political sideshow, part megaphone, and part misinformation machine. With Elon at the reigns, the app algorithmically boosted conservative content while claiming to champion “free speech.” Twitter wasn’t neutral.
India’s 2024 elections also became a digital war zone. Both BJP and Congress (political parties) deployed AI-powered “War Rooms”. They tracked narratives in real time, used memes, reels, and even WhatsApp to engage young and old electorates. They didn't just employ technology for technology's sake, it was intentional, strategic, and effective in swaying the opinions of voters.
Thankfully, it hasn't been all bad! In Kenya for example, Gen Zs started a digital revolution to kick against the 2024 Finance Bill (a bill that imposed higher taxes despite an already high cost of living). They built tools like the Finance Bill GPT, translated laws on TikTok, tracked police violence via USSD codes, and used crowdfunding platforms to cover legal and medical aid. Using tactical and tech-literate resistance, they managed to bypass traditional political gatekeepers and forced the government to revoke the bill.
Now, we are no longer asking whether tech influences social and political movements. We’re asking who it’s empowering and who it’s quietly pushing out of frame.
So when people say “tech is neutral,” what they really mean is “I’m not ready to talk about who’s being harmed, who’s being helped, and who’s pulling the levers.”
Using Tech Without Getting Played
Here’s how to stay smart, skeptical, and digitally literate:
- Fact-check before you fight: Misinformation spreads really fast, especially if it was designed to trigger emotions. So, before you share or send that spicy rebuttal, ask: is this true, or just a ploy to get me mad?
- Push for policy: Tech moves faster than regulation, but that doesn’t mean we stop asking uncomfortable questions. If we don’t demand real policy, we’ll keep getting new features with the same old risks.
- Disrupt the echo chamber: Your algorithm knows your comfort zone and tries to keep you there. Intentionally follow people who don’t look like you, vote like you, or think like your group chat. This forces you to see opinions from different perspectives.
- Ask who benefits: If a tool/propaganda feels “too convenient,” it probably is. Investigate who profits from the outrage, the engagements or silence? Follow the money, the data trail, and the algorithmic breadcrumbs.
Technology is also disrupting businesses by making fraud easier than ever with AI-generated fake receipts, shaping narratives with deepfake videos passing off as legitimate breaking news, etc. Joy Victor’s article, “Technology Trends That Should Scare You” goes deeper into this issue. Please read it.
