“When you are working for the public you don’t have the luxury to define your audience, you have the difficult task to think about serving everyone.” —Anne Washington
What Is the Public Interest?
The role of government is distinct from the private sector. Governments serve citizens and constituents rather than customers, and they interact with advocacy organizations, unions, and other groups, not just individuals. This means they prioritize values beyond market fit and return on investment — and it means governments have an unmatched opportunity to model responsible, accountable, and accessible tech. But what exactly would it mean for that tech to be in “the public interest,” and who is included in, and excluded from, that “public”?