On June 6 and 7, PublicSpaces and Waag Futurelab will organize the fourth edition of the PublicSpaces conference with the theme 'Taking Back the Internet'. During the two-day program in Pakhuis de Zwijger, we will work towards an internet where we jointly determine the rules. We do this through panels, keynotes, round table sessions, lectures, art and culture. Save the date!

Taking Back the Internet

In 2024, most digital services and platforms are in the hands of a few commercial Big Tech companies. This centralization of power is not in line with how the internet was once conceived and causes socially disruptive problems. From privacy violations to modern slavery practices and from discrimination to influencing election results by biased algorithms; Big Tech's monopoly affects everyone.

How do we – as citizens, organizations and governments – regain control of our data and our digital lives? If we want to be able to determine what our digital ecosystem looks like, we must be able to make independent decisions about the design, use and management of the internet. During the conference we will therefore discuss data ownership, privacy, interoperability, decentralization and more with speakers, audiences and artists. In short: technology based on public values.

Program

The program will be announced in the coming weeks.

Where? Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
When? Thursday, June 6 & Friday, June 7, 2024