Present Moment works with humans to co-create healthy technology ecosystems.
We help local governments, organizations, schools, companies, and groups of all kinds take action and create values-aligned tech policies, practices, and products.
Our Approach
Present Moment facilitates healthy solutions at scales where people have the power to build meaningful insight and governance, for example: school districts, local government, nonprofits, foundations, and, community organizations.
We work collaboratively with partners, bringing tech expertise to community engagement, trainings and workshops, tech and AI audits, risk assessments, and usage guides, procurement frameworks, strategic plans, organizational development and fundraising, custom policies, and research. Let us know what you need.
Our People
Present Moment is a networked collective of educators, librarians, technologists, scholars, artists, policy experts, organizers, and more, led by longtime leaders in public interest technology.
We facilitate tech learning for everyone.
We create space for tech deliberation.
We dream of beautiful tech futures.
What kinds of tech futures do you want to see in the world?
What we do
Present Moment is a cooperatively governed, mission-driven consultancy. We support groups seeking creative solutions for technology safety, governance, and wellbeing at the scales where enormous impact is possible.
Workshops and Classes
We convene groups to learn and reflect on the ways tech is affecting our communities and to take intentional, concrete action. Current workshops include:
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Growing Up in the Age of AI - supporting parents and caregivers seeking healthy tech futures with their families through responsible school policies & peer support.
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Mindfulness and Deliberation in the Tech-Enabled Polycrisis - applying mindfulness methods to engage while staying grounded and intentional.
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Tech Sovereignty with Kids - a 6-week class covering consentful tech, information & AI literacy, hands-on experimentation, and co-design of policies & mentorship.
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Breaking Up With Big Tech - workshop and trainings or organizations and groups switching from big tech platforms to alternatives that fit their values and ethics.
Research & Development
We conduct participatory data research, ethnography and data methods to understand how tech is affecting our world and lives, for example:
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Audits of AI products used in schools, cities, etc.
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Participatory research with grassroots groups building local digital infrastructures like energy/broadband coops
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Ethnography of the civic impact of digital platforms
Creative Practice
We explore and create with all kinds of tech - FM microbroadcasting, mesh wireless, and more. Recent participatory radio broadcasts include: Radio Past Radio Future and Radio Doppelganger with The Lobby NYC; and Shadows and Waves, an evening of Shadow Puppets and Radio with artist Nate Hill & Bau Gallery. Let us know if you have an idea or curiosity!
Somatic & Mindful Engagement and Facilitation
Our workshops and classes integrate mindfulness practices like device meditation, deep relaxation, and principles of skillfull speech and deep listening, rooted in the mindfulness tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, to reduce overwhelm and enable productive dialogue.
Greta Byrum is an expert in technologies for digital opportunity, resilience, safety, wellbeing, and imagination. Her work focuses on building infrastructure and technological self-determination with communities to create digital wellbeing instead of exclusion, surveillance, and extraction. She has contributed extensively to research on digital governance, including risks to vulnerable populations and pathways to collective action.
Affiliate
is a data and operations consultant and digital service designer working toward a future where innovation strengthens public systems, empowers communities, and ensures that solutions to the modern era’s evolving challenges serve the public interest.
Affiliate
is a researcher-investigator using technologies and storytelling frameworks to open up community-oriented data frameworks and discourses. Todd is currently a Just Tech Fellow at the Social Science Research Council, teaches at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, and is a radio journalist by training.
Affiliate
is a researcher investigating the social impact of AI systems, leveraging both computational data analytics and digital ethnography to create concrete accounts beyond performance metrics.
Partners
We would love to hear from you
Have an idea, request for services or collaboration, or just want to say hello?
We are seeking clients, partners, and supporters interested in seeding creative action to steer AI & tech in ways that affirm our humanity and respect our living planet.
Please fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can! Or email us at hello@presentmoment.tech
Foundations & gratitude
We integrate practices fom Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village, bringing people into restorative connection through active listening.
Our work is rooted in Community Technology, a method of teaching and learning about technology to heal relationships and strengthen communities.
Thank you to the visionaries, teachers, and practitioners who inspire us.
