Stewarding today’s technology, for tomorrow.
We measure technology’s impact, shape precise policy and build viable alternatives.
What we measure
What we do
A whole-of-society approach to technological change.
Measure how technology impacts us.
Data-driven studies of the effects that matter most and are hardest to see, followed over years, with our methods in the open.Our research PolicyPrecise interventions that enable innovation.
We supply technically precise, narrow policy interventions that mitigate harm while leaving market forces free to work.Our policy work TechDemonstrating viable alternatives.
We incubate, build, test and scale technology that serves its users and pays its own way, in six areas from legislation to housing.What we buildWhat we believe
This is a defining technological moment.
Unprecedented changes are happening very quickly, in how we work, learn, raise children and govern ourselves.
We need to measure and optimize what matters most.
Beyond standard economic measures, we keep watch on the softer impacts, like children’s moral formation, economic competitiveness and the health of our institutions.
We have a responsibility to steward the future.
We need to preserve and protect the societal fabric we were given, and steward it well for the generations who follow.
Highbeam Research
Making clear whatwe can’t easily see
From childhood formation and the moral fabric of society to economic competition and the future we’re building, we bring insight and perspective to what’s shaping our world most.
Highbeam Policy
Technically informed, precise policy interventions.
Industry-informed policy that is surgically precise, mitigating harms while enabling free-market innovation.
- 01Time-spent data + safe harborDiscloseLet the public see what the phone already counts.
- 02Harm disclosure + warning labelDiscloseTell people what the feed is built to maximize.
- 03Content controlsEmpowerGive families the dials advertisers already have.
- 04Algorithm opt-outEmpowerLet everyone opt out; default children to their friends.
- 05Duty of careRequireBuild products for children with reasonable care, or answer for it.
Highbeam Tech
Demonstrating proof that technology can be well stewarded.
Highbeam Tech incubates, builds, tests and scales products that grow only when their users are better off, and that pay their own way.
Legislative technology
- Optimizes for
- Shared understanding and common ground
- Instead of
- Scattered news and insider advantage
Jobs
- Optimizes for
- The right job, matched on the real work
- Instead of
- Clicks and application volume
Social connection
- Optimizes for
- The connection you choose
- Instead of
- Time spent scrolling
Commerce
- Optimizes for
- What fits you, at a price you’d choose
- Instead of
- Sponsored placement and impulse buys
Housing
- Optimizes for
- The home you actually want
- Instead of
- Leads sold to agents
Information
- Optimizes for
- Skills you keep
- Instead of
- Answers you keep coming back for
How we work
Commitments made before the results come in.
An institute can be grounded in values and still let the evidence prove it wrong. These are the rules we hold ourselves to.
Funders disclosed
Every funder and conflict is listed. Sponsors get no veto over findings, and we keep the right to publish.
Methods in the open
We publish our methods, corrections and null results, not just the headlines.
Values stated up front
We say what good we’re measuring for, and what it trades against, before we look at the data.
Specific about what we study
A product or feature, used for a particular purpose, by a specified population, over a defined period.
Get the evidence as it arrives.
New research and policy briefs from Highbeam, sent when they’re ready.