Meet the Members: David Ryan Polgar

Resident and West Hartford Co-Working Member David Ryan Polgar is a Tech Ethicist and the co-host and co-creator of Funny as Tech , an NYC-based live show and podcast that tackles the thorniest issues in technology.

WEST HARTFORD CO-WORKING: So What Exactly is a Tech Ethicist?

DRP: I often say I help people and organizations remember the more human side of technology. Well before the Cambridge Analytica fiasco, or Apple and Google's new-found focus on digital mindfulness, I have been writing, speaking, and consulting at the intersection of business, ethics, well-being, and technology. My background is as an attorney and college professor; a few years ago I saw a glaring need for a deeper, more thoughtful debate regarding the creation and implementation of social media and technology.

I currently write for outlets such as IBM thinkLeaders, Dell Perspectives, and Quartz. A 3-time TEDx speaker, I speak throughout the country and globe around tech ethics, digital citizenship, digital wellness, and other emerging tech issues. My commentary on these issues has been found on/in CBS This Morning, SiriusXM, LA Times, BBC, USA Today, AP, Adweek, and many more. I am a board member of the non-profit #ICANHELP and a member of Common Sense's Digital Citizenship Advisory Council.

Locally, I co-founded the Digital Citizenship Summit in 2015 here in West Hartford (at the University of Saint Joseph). That event quickly scaled and went global, such as being held at Twitter HQ and now at many locations throughout the world. I am the co-host and co-creator of Funny as Tech, a NYC-based live show and podcast that tackles the thorniest issues in technology. We did a show in the area at Sea Tea Improv Theater last December and just got back from performing at TNW Conference in Amsterdam. I recently founded All Tech Is Human, an initiative that aims to better align technology with the human interests of users & society. The kickoff event was held at Grand Central Tech in NYC in late March, where I was on a panel with CNN's Laurie Segall, NPR's Anya Kamenetz, and Center for Humane Technology's Max Stossel.

One area I am currently focused on is the difficulty between determining a bot versus a human, what is fake versus real. While we often focus on humanizing our bots, I would argue that we are becoming "botified" as humans.

WHC: Why did you choose co-working?

Similar to a lot of people attracted to co-working, I have both the luxury and the challenge of doing much of my work remotely. I live in West Hartford, but I am working with clients and opportunities across the country and globe. Coming into a co-working space often provides the necessary nudge of seriousness needed to accomplish tasks as a remote worker. While you can often get work down at home or at a coffeehouse, I have noticed that being at West Hartford Co-Working adds focus and a little bit of needed structure.

WHC: Favorite parts of the space?

The location of West Hartford Co-Working is extremely ideal. For me, I can walk to the office. That's nice. And being central to so many great restaurants has made it extremely easy to setup area meetings or post-work happy hours. The conference room has also been extremely helpful; I have used that space a few times for media interviews. I also really enjoy the stand-up desk and the nice outside area where I often take calls.

Getting work done remotely can often feel like being Goldilocks--you want there to be other people and energy, but not too noisy. I have found West Hartford Co-Working to be a perfect balance; where I am able to strike up a conversation and be part of a larger buzz, but also quiet enough to intently focus when need be.

Learn more about David's work and where you can catch him next at TechEthicist.com.