3.2.4. Technology for Everyone

Public authorities should ensure that the debate on technology’s development and regulation is conducted, not in backrooms full of industry lobbyists, but with participation of all stakeholders. Initiatives for technology assessment and public participation in science and technology need to be strengthened and in some cases made mandatory.

In addition, other stakeholders (e.g. consumers, workers, the public at large, public authorities) should have observation functions or guaranteed representation in the decision making bodies (board of management) of companies that make technological decisions with a significant impact on society – similar to how, under certain conditions, governments are entitled to appoint observers to the boards of financial institutions.

There is a growing sphere of organisations that foster public and open uses of technology. Europe has hundreds of maker spaces, FabLabs, museums and educational institutions that experiment with technology and knowledge oriented towards commons and society. New ways to support such projects should be found.