What role do online platforms play in potentially fueling political violence, and what could and should they do to mitigate these escalating threats, particularly as the U.S. heads into the 2026 midterm election? CRC Policy and Impact Director Yaël Eisenstat and Tech Policy Press CEO Justin Hendrix gathered a group of experts–including former tech company employees, policymakers, researchers and academics–to consider these questions and recommend a set of potential interventions, policies, and design changes that the companies could employ to help turn down the temperature and protect those most at risk of political violence. They will discuss their findings in this timely talk.

Speakers

Justin Hendrix is CEO and Editor of Tech Policy Press, a nonprofit media venture concerned with the intersection of technology and democracy. Previously, he was Executive Director
of NYC Media Lab. He spent over a decade at The Economist in roles including Vice President of Business Development & Innovation. He is an adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a lecturer at Cornell Tech, and serves on the editorial board at Just Security.

Yaël Eisenstat is CRC’s Director of Policy and Impact. She has spent over two decades combating extremism, polarization and anti-democratic behavior both on- and offline. Most recently, she was Vice President at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), heading the Center for Technology & Society.

Moderator

Laura Edelson is Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Northeastern University and Director of Cybersafety Research Center (formerly Cybersecurity for Democracy).