Giving Compass' Take:

• Rhodri Davies discusses how civil society organizations can help uphold tech ethics and protect vulnerable communities that are affected by the "dark side of technology."

• How can donors strengthen efforts to encourage accountability in tech within the social sector as we proceed into the fourth industrial revolution?

• Read more about civil society values in a digital society.

Artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT); the emergence and growing power of these types of technology has led us to the edge of a “Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

Up to now the tech companies of Silicon Valley and beyond have led this revolution; but if we want humanity to genuinely benefit from such a revolution, big tech can’t go it alone. It is essential that civil society organisations play a prominent role too.

The creations of the new tech titans are changing the way we work, communicate and interact with each other. They have already transformed financial systems, governance structures and even whole industries, and will continue to do so in ever more fundamental ways. Unfortunately the benefits are sometimes not distributed fairly across society, with some communities benefitting and others suffering. And civil society – organisations such as charities and NGOs – is left to pick up the pieces.

The role of civil society in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is not just about using technology, however.

Civil society organisations must play a key role in highlighting how technological development can negatively impact vulnerable people and communities, the groups they are trusted to serve. And let’s face it, emerging technology has shown a dark side.

Civil society organisations can bring to light the ways in which technology is affecting real people’s lives, and work with tech companies to ensure they minimise any unintended negative consequences. But we may also need to question some of our assumptions about the inevitability of technological development; and challenge the idea that problems with profound societal implications can be seen merely as questions of “tech ethics”, and dealt with from within the tech sector itself. In some cases, more traditional mechanisms of legislation and policy may be necessary.

Read the full article about the role of civil society organizations by Rhodri Davies at Charities Aid Foundation.