Technically Optimistic Embed Player Background

The way we use and understand data is rapidly evolving. So what does the future hold? Will backlash against surveillance capitalism result in protections that empower people to take control of their data? What’s going on with the new American Privacy Rights Act that’s currently moving through Congress? Raffi talks to experts about how we can understand — and help shape — the future of data, exploring new policy, digging into the concept of “digital doubles,” and assessing how data collection might play a role in coalition-building and reform.
\
\
Guests include Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA); Brandon Pugh, policy director at the R Street Institute; author and internet activist Cory Doctorow; actor and SAG-AFTRA member Clark Gregg; and Amy Bach, CEO of Measures for Justice. 

What does it take to build technology for good? Season 1 journeyed into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence with Raffi Krikorian, Chief Technology Officer of Emerson Collective as he unpacked how this transformational technology can be developed and deployed with society’s best interests at its core. 
\
\
Raffi engaged experts in the field on how to harness the incredible potential of AI while mitigating its risks. Season 2 explores the most valuable resource on our planet… data. Raffi invites listeners to become curious and informed about their data in order to build a better collective future. It’s more important than ever to educate ourselves on the benefits and tradeoffs of new technology — what’s at stake, but also what is possible.  
\
\
The future is unknown, but we are technically optimistic.

Technically Optimistic Podcast Show Header - Desktop - Ambient

Technically Optimistic Podcast Show Header - Mobile

Stay Up to Date

[NewsletterSignUp] EC Digest General Newsletter

Where we break down transformational technology and ask how it can be developed and deployed with society’s best interests at heart.

Circular Podcast Show Image - Technically Optimistic

Technically Optimistic

[Podcast 3x4] Technically Optimistic S2 E8

What’s next for data

https://res.cloudinary.com/dapibcwcy/image/upload/v1718907707/cdn/Podcast/Technically%20Optimistic/Transcripts/Technically_Optimistic_Transcript_-S2_Episode_8.pdf

[Podcast 3x4] Technically Optimistic Trailer Video Short

Technically Optimistic - Podcast Spotlight Topper - Mobile

Emerson Collective presents our 9th annual Demo Day—a gathering of creators and builders, where live demos and conversations illuminate bold, imaginative solutions to challenges of our time. Watch entrepreneurs across our portfolio push the boundaries of innovation, from AI and healthcare to education and energy.

Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility. We are working to create a world that honors talent, expands opportunity, and ensures the conditions for human flourishing.

“Vertigo” by U2 © UNIVERSAL POLYGRAM INT. PUBLISHING, INC. ON BEHALF OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING INT. B.V. (ASCAP)

Demo Day 2025 Highlights

Demo Day 2025 Full Video Thumbnail 

Emerson Collective Presents Demo Day 2025

Emerson believes in the power of solving the worlds problems.

White

Custom

Inspiration

Capacity Building Offerings

More Capacity Building Offerings

[TextBlock] The Management Center

THE MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC)

THE MANAGEMENT CENTER

[TextBlock] TMC's courses provide frameworks and ready-to-use ...

[Divider] #ffb600

[TextBlock] FUNDING Emerson Collective will provide one of the...

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS If you choose Option #1 (5 course regis...

[TextBlock] executive education programs

EXECUTIVE EDUCATIONS PROGRAMS

executive education programs

[TextBlock] In 2026, you may choose to attend one course from ...

[TextBlock] FUNDING We will provide funding for the tuition co...

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS Applications are open for these program...

[FeatureCard] Management Training

Management Training

Join our mailing list and follow us on social.

[NewsletterSignUp] Home Mat Newsletter

We fund select educational courses from: The Management Center and the Harvard and Stanford executive education programs

Navigate to our course offerings for Management Training:

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_ManagementTraining

[TextBlock] OFFICE HOURS WITH JENNIFER MCCREA Jennifer McCrea ...

OFFICE HOURS WITH JENNIFER MCCREA

[TextBlock] Emerson Collective is pleased to offer three advis...

[Divider] #1e482f

[TextBlock] FUNDING Emerson Collective will fund up to three (...

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS Your Executive Directors and developmen...

[TextBlock] Online Resources from Jennifer McCrea Here are add...

Online Resources from Jennifer McCrea

[FeatureCard] Fund Development

Fund Development

We fund advising sessions with fundraising expert Jennifer McCrea

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_FundDevelopment

[TextBlock] LEX MUNDI PRO BONO FOUNDATION The Lex Mundi Pro Bo...

LEX MUNDI PRO BONO FOUNDATION

[TextBlock] This organization is best positioned to provide le...

[Divider] #381e43

[TextBlock] FUNDING This is a pro bono service: No payment is ...

[TextBlock] Next Steps If you’d like to set up a project, plea...

[FeatureCard] Legal Support

Legal Support

We provide access to legal guidance from Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_LegalSupport

[TextBlock] the oped project

THE OPED PROJECT

[TextBlock] Write to Change the World explores the challenges ...

[Divider] #faac8b

[TextBlock] FUNDING Emerson Collective will provide funding fo...

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS Sign up for one (1) workshop (either Wr...

[TextBlock] The Goodman Center

THE GOODMAN CENTER

[TextBlock] The Goodman Center provides several online courses...

[TextBlock] FUNDING Emerson Collective will provide funding to your organizati...

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS

[FeatureCard] Voice & Storytelling

Voice & Storytelling

We fund writing workshops with The OpEd Project and The Goodman Center

Navigate to our course offerings for Communications & Storytelling:

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_Voice_Storytelling

Communications & Storytelling

[TextBlock] With our Data & Technology offerings, we hope to empower our nonprofits partners with the technological tools and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. 

[Divider] #ba682c

[TextBlock] TECH ASSESSMENT

TECH ASSESSMENT

Shape Break - Data & Technology

[Text Block] LIBRARY OF RECOMMENDED TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

LIBRARY OF RECOMMENDED TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

[Text Block] We hope this growing catalog will be helpful as your organization

[HtmlBlock] Emerson Collective Continued Offerings Tool Library

Shape Break - Data & Technology - Slim for Tool

[TextBlock] IT INFRASTRUCTURE: TECHSOUP

TECHSOUP

IT INFRASTRUCTURE: TECHSOUP

[TextBlock] Feel free to browse through the TechSoup catalog. ...

[TextBlock] FUNDING Emerson Collective will provide one-time funding for up to...

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS Purchase TechSoup products up to $1,500...

[TextBlock] DATA PRIVACY & PROTECTION: OPTERY

OPTERY

DATA PRIVACY & PROTECTION: OPTERY

[TextBlock] Opetry - Funding

[TextBlock] Opetry - Next Steps

[Text Block] PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: COURSERA PLUS

COURSERA PLUS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: COURSERA PLUS

[Text Block] The platform includes best-in-class courses in data analysis and data science, IT, product management, and software engineering.

[Text Block] You may be especially interested in the following courses recommended by Emerson Collective’s Technology team

FUNDING Emerson Collective will provide funding for up to two (2) Coursera Plus annual subscriptions purchased in

NEXT STEPS Sign up for up to two (2) Coursera Plus annual subscriptions.

[TextBlock] AI Resource Library

AI RESOURCE LIBRARY

AI Resource Library

[TextBlock] OTHER PRO BONO TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

OTHER PRO BONO TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

[TextBlock] NON-PROFIT TECH COMMUNITIES

NON-PROFIT TECH COMMUNITIES

[FeatureCard] Data & Technology

Data & Technology

We fund and recommend product and services for technological transformation


Navigate to our course offerings for Data & Technology:

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_Analytics_Measurement

[TextBlock] ONLINE RESOURCES

ONLINE RESOURCES

[TextBlock] Board Development, Engagement, and Governance Webi...

[FeatureCard] Board Governance

Board Governance

We provide curated resources to support board governance

Navigate to our course offerings for Board Governance:

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_BoardGovernance

[TextBlock] Emerson Collective hosts webinars on topics many o...

[TextBlock] We have compiled more than learning sessions into ...

[FeatureCard] Webinars

Webinars

We provide webinar recordings focused on various topics, including technology and cybersecurity, storytelling, fundraising, and more. Most webinars include subtitles in English, French, and Spanish

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_Webinar

[TextBlock] BDO FMA BDO FMA is dedicated to helping nonprofits...

BDO FMA

[TextBlock] The specialized hands-on curriculum encompasses ba...

[Divider] #ec1c24

[TextBlock] NEXT STEPS Sign up for one CNAP Essentials worksho...

FINANCIAL RESILIENCY PRIMERS

"Strategies for Cash Management"

[FeatureCard] Budgeting & Finance

Budgeting & Finance

We fund resources for foundational accounting and budgeting

Navigate to our course offerings for Budgeting & Finance:

avatar

[SectionBlock] FAQ

[FeatureCard] FAQ

BeyondTheGrant_1_1-Thumbnail_FAQ

Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility, working to create a world of abundance for future generations. Complex challenges in education and economic mobility, immigration and the environment require audacious ideas, rigorous thinking and hard work.

[Ambient Video] Earth Day Newsletter Ambient Video

[NewsletterSignUp] Earth Day Newsletter Video

Sunshine (#fff747)

We invited our partners to share ideas for new projects at the intersection of their work and climate change. The following stories show how everyone can find ways to contribute climate solutions.