The Center for Humane Technology (CHT), co-founded by former Google product manager Tristan Harris, is laying off approximately half of its 16 non-founder employees, according to former staffers who spoke with WIRED. The organization will discontinue its policy research and litigation efforts to concentrate on what it describes as "founder-led" projects.
The layoffs, which include executive director Julie Guirado and senior director of strategy Camille Carlton, follow a series of legal victories against social media companies. These lawsuits were based on research suggesting that social media platforms are designed to keep children engaged for extended periods.
Despite these successes, internal disagreements regarding the organization's direction have persisted for years, as reported by 16 former employees who requested anonymity due to concerns about professional repercussions.
CHT's board concluded that attempting to function as both an advocacy group led by Harris and a think tank producing policy papers had overextended the organization. Moving forward, CHT will focus on initiatives led by its founders, including public education, targeted briefings, and private coordination, building on their success in reaching broad audiences and engaging influential decision-makers, as stated by the board last week.
The organization will eliminate functions such as litigation assistance and AI tool evaluation, although the board did not specify the exact number of layoffs. "This moment of accelerated AI risk demands we focus on one strategy, and we have chosen to focus on what we have always done best so that we can meet the moment," said board chair Premal Shah in a statement to WIRED.
In recent years, Harris has been vocal about the risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence, warning of a potential "AI takeover" if the technology goes unchecked. "We have to act right now before it’s too late," he told NBC News last month.
CHT has encouraged public participation in a petition to pause AI development and has organized a congressional hearing on the dangers of chatbots. The organization has also provided advice on lawsuits and investigations into AI labs, including a case against OpenAI filed by parents of a teenager who died by suicide after interacting with ChatGPT. Harris recently appeared in a Netflix documentary titled The AI Doc, which calls for congressional intervention to address the risks posed by technology.
Founded in 2017, CHT competes with established nonprofits and newer organizations for funding and attention in shaping AI policy. The center has an annual budget of approximately $6 million and similar reserves, funded by wealthy families and foundations. However, former employees express concern that resources may be diverted from addressing critical issues related to AI's impact on democracy and civil liberties.
Gail Barnes, an early advisor on social media strategy for CHT, commented on the board's decision to abandon work that aimed to leverage Harris' fame for meaningful change within tech companies. "Whether that is wisdom or a retreat depends on whether you think the binding constraint on AI right now is still 'people haven’t heard the argument' or 'the argument has no institutional teeth.' CHT is picking the first," Barnes stated.
Harris is recognized for his ability to articulate complex issues and has been a prominent figure in media, conferences, and on Capitol Hill. He co-founded CHT with Aza Raskin and Randy Fernando, aiming to encourage tech companies to take responsibility for the social consequences of their products. The organization initially focused on issues such as political radicalization and the mental health effects of technology on teenagers.
Internal documents from Meta released in court this year indicated that company researchers considered reaching out to Harris as early as 2018, when his warnings about addictive app designs gained traction. His profile increased with the release of The Social Dilemma on Netflix in 2020.
A leader at another nonprofit noted the significant impact of The Social Dilemma on the tech accountability movement. However, some former staffers reported internal conflicts regarding the focus of the organization, with frustrations over Harris' changing priorities leading to a chaotic work environment. Shah acknowledged the fast-paced culture at CHT, attributing employee turnover to differing approaches to the organization's mission.
Despite internal challenges, CHT's strategy of targeting tech companies has yielded results. In 2021, state attorneys general initiated investigations into Meta, leading to lawsuits alleging the company misled teens and parents. This year, Meta agreed to settle some lawsuits for billions of dollars, with additional penalties imposed in separate cases. Other social media platforms have also settled similar litigation.
In an earlier interview with WIRED, a leader from another tech nonprofit expressed disappointment at CHT's shift away from less visible advocacy work, stating, "Change comes from movements and democracy, not celebrities and backrooms."
Some former employees speculate that CHT may increasingly focus on what they humorously refer to as the "Center of Helping Tristan." Shah emphasized that the organization's primary goal is to ensure that today's most consequential technologies serve humanity.