This chapter explores the challenges of designing in unconstrained settings without established policies, discussing the lack of guidelines and infrastructure. It highlights the need for designers to be involved in policy-making and design at the early stages and provides recommendations for proactive and reactive measures to mitigate harm. The chapter also addresses the challenge of synchronizing technology and policy and mentions programs and concepts that aim to bridge the gap between the two.
Lou sits down with Alex Schmidt, author of our new title Deliberate Intervention: Using Policy and Design to Navigate the Harms of New Technology. Together, they give us a rundown of the many harms modern technology has brought to society and how designers are attempting to work with policymakers to tackle these issues. Lou and Alex also discuss proactive approaches teams can take to counteract those harms and biases that often arise as technology companies grow and how bringing design and policy closer together in this field could benefit everyone long term.