How We Build the Tech Future We Want

Anchor Change with Katie Harbath

This week’s episode is for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of AI—or unsure of what power they really hold to shape the future.

Rumman Chowdhury is a trailblazer in the responsible AI space—she’s worked in big tech, launched her own nonprofit, advised the Biden administration, and now runs Humane Intelligence. What makes her stand out isn’t just her résumé—it’s her refusal to settle for cynicism.

She calls herself an AI optimist. And not in a naive way. She knows the risks, she’s lived them—but she still believes that we have agency. That our choices—what tools we use, what questions we ask, what we say no to—actually matter. And that optimism, in this moment, is a radical act.

We talk about how to embrace failure, how to test and red-team the technologies shaping our world, and why the right to repair isn't just about tractors—it’s about power, access, and dignity in the digital age.

Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Get full access to Anchor Change with Katie Harbath at anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe