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Code & Conscience

by Erica Stanley

This is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about how we as technologists–builders, creators, leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it.

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An abstract image of security cameras in front of the U. S. Capitol building on a backdrop of red and blue watercolor blobs.
Featured Post

Watched, Tracked & Traded: Reclaiming Privacy in a Surveillance Society

Code & Conscience #010 Listen to this issue on YouTube In this Issue I discuss the latest trends in AI and surveillance, what this means for your privacy, safety, and freedom. I also have some good news to share, so keep reading! You're Being Followed! Credit: Pexels It's a cool Wednesday evening. You're driving home from your office, as usual, except something is strikingly different this time. A black sedan has been tailing you for a while now. You've made four turns (a circle) to confirm...

about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Two placards. One saying "There's No Planet B" and the other "Stop Climate Change"

Code & Conscience #009 Listen to this issue on YouTube In this Issue Tech keeps promising miracles, but the hidden climate costs are landing on communities who can least afford them. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. Credit: Adobe Tech & Climate When I first started working in tech over 25 years ago, I was swept up in all the big promises—faster solutions, smarter tools, and almost miraculous breakthroughs. What I gradually learned was that every leap forward comes at a cost....

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

Code & Conscience #008 Listen to this issue on YouTube In this Issue I discuss how Digital Blackface is now the latest trend in racism, not just some online cringe. I also list ways to push back against technology that profits off Black culture, without centering Black people. Digital Blackface You've probably noticed a new wave of AI generated videos in the past few weeks. Videos with characters mimicking Black mannerisms and colloquialisms. Oh! I've had a very hard time convincing older...

2 months ago • 3 min read
A bronze statue of lady justice with a blindfold, scales and a sword.

Erica Stanley Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor Code & Conscience #007 Listen to this issue on YouTube 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 👩🏾💻 Tech is not Neutral We'll address how platforms, algorithms, and AI are actively shaping political narratives, amplifying some...

3 months ago • 5 min read
An African Woman with curly hair smiling while hugging a white humanoi

Erica Stanley Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor Code & Conscience #006 Listen to this issue on YouTube 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 👩🏾💻 AI is NOT one of your little friends A handful of tech leaders want AI to replace human connection, but should we let it? In this...

3 months ago • 4 min read
Illustration of photorealistic human hands in grayscale holding a stylized collection of diverse people in heart shape on a yellow background

Erica Stanley Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor Code & Conscience #005 Listen to this issue on YouTube Code & Conscience is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about how we as technologists–builders, creators, leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it. In this Issue 👩🏾💻 Community as a Superpower How community and networking is the secret recipe to thriving, growing and getting opportunities. 💡 Building...

4 months ago • 4 min read
Image: Abstract arrow moving in the right-hand direction. Credit: iStock

Erica Stanley Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor Code & Conscience #004 Listen to this issue on YouTube Code & Conscience is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about how we as technologists–builders, creators, leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it. In this Issue 👩🏾💻 Tech Leadership with Intention in a New Era The role of CTOs is evolving beyond just tech strategy. It’s about making decisions that...

5 months ago • 3 min read
Abstract and futuristic illustration of women with different skin tones facing different directions

Erica Stanley Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor Code & Conscience #003 Listen to this issue on YouTube Code & Conscience is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about how we as technologists–builders, creators, leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it. In this Issue 👩🏾💻 Building a Better Tech Future for Women Hiring, retaining, and promoting women isn’t just about diversity quotas, it’s about making...

5 months ago • 3 min read
A Black software engineer sitting at a desk, with a computer screen that shows an AI logo overlay on top of code.

Erica Stanley Engineering Leader, Community Builder, Speaker, Contributor Code & Conscience #002 Listen to this issue on YouTube Code & Conscience is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about how we as technologists–builders, creators, leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it. In this Issue 👩🏾💻 Black Contributions to AI My celebration of BHM continues with Discussions, Spotlights, & Book Recommendations 💡 DOGE & The Tech...

7 months ago • 5 min read
Code and Conscience by Erica Stanley

Welcome to the Code & Conscience Newsletter Listen to this issue on YouTube Code & Conscience is finally live! This has been several months in the making and I’m so excited to share it with you. This is my way of thinking out loud with friends (that’s you, btw) about the ways we as technologists–builders, creators, leaders–impact the world around us with what we choose to build and how we build it. Here’s a space for us to have conversations around tech and its impact on society and share...

7 months ago • 3 min read