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Read the latest news, commentary, and analysis from the Ash Center.

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Q+A

Q & A: Crocodile tears, Can the ethical-moral intelligence of AI models be trusted?

As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in everyday decision-making, its role in shaping how people think about ethics and morality is drawing increasing scrutiny. In this conversation with researcher Sarah Hubbard, we discuss insights from her co-authored paper, “Crocodile Tears: Can the Ethical-Moral Intelligence of AI Models Be Trusted?”—examining how AI systems respond to moral dilemmas, and what this reveals about the risks, limitations, and need for greater transparency and human oversight in AI-driven ethical guidance.

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Ten ways to take down the political temperature
Graphic of two men yelling at each other.

Commentary

Ten ways to take down the political temperature

The intensification of political polarization in recent years has raised pressing concerns about the health of democratic discourse and the rise of political violence. Ash Center Senior Fellow Stephen Richer shares ten principles he believes provide a framework for fostering more constructive engagement: encouraging self-reflection, prioritizing substantive dialogue over hyperbole, and creating incentives that reward integrity and ideas rather than division.

Governing with AI – Learning the How-To’s of AI-Enhanced Public Engagement

Feature

Governing with AI – Learning the How-To’s of AI-Enhanced Public Engagement

Public engagement has long been too time-consuming and costly for governments to sustain, but AI offers tools to make participation more systematic and impactful. Our new Reboot Democracy Workshop Series replaces lectures with hands-on sessions that teach the practical “how-to’s” of AI-enhanced engagement. Together with leading practitioners and partners at InnovateUS and the Allen Lab at Harvard, we’ll explore how AI can help institutions tap the collective intelligence of our communities more efficiently and effectively.

New data shows No Kings was one of the largest days of protest in US history
Protestors in front of an American flag.

Commentary

New data shows No Kings was one of the largest days of protest in US history

The historic number of No Kings Day protesters and their expansive geographic spread are signs of a growing and durable pro-democracy movement. This article was originally published in Waging Nonviolence.

From South Texas to Cambridge, Josh Cortez Carries His Story Forward
Josh Cortez taking a picture on stairs at graduation

Feature

From South Texas to Cambridge, Josh Cortez Carries His Story Forward

When Josh Cortez crossed the stage to graduate from Harvard Kennedy School in May 2025 as a recipient of the Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy, he carried more than a degree—he carried generations of heritage, grit, and purpose. His story doesn’t begin in Cambridge but hundreds of years earlier, on the banks of the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas.

Ex-USAID chief says gutting of agency could put millions at risk of death
Samantha Power and Anderson Cooper on CNN.

Video

Ex-USAID chief says gutting of agency could put millions at risk of death

Former USAID administrator Samantha Power says the gutting of the agency, with deep funding cuts to life-saving programs will have “devastating” consequences, potentially causing millions of deaths globally. This video originally aired on CNN. 

Technology and Democracy: What to Read This Summer
A collection of books from the GETTING-Plurality Research Network.

Feature

Technology and Democracy: What to Read This Summer

This list of resources, curated by the GETTING-Plurality Research Network at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, highlights emerging ideas at the intersection of technology and democracy.

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary
A collection of books curated by the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.

Feature

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As this milestone approaches, the team at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation has curated a collection of books, podcasts, and events that explore the meaning and impact of the declaration from 1776 to today. Join us in revisiting the document itself, reflecting on its legacy, and considering the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic ideals.

In Appearance Before Congress, Bruce Schneier Raises Concerns about DOGE Data Handling Practices
Cyber image of a lock on a computer screen

Feature

In Appearance Before Congress, Bruce Schneier Raises Concerns about DOGE Data Handling Practices

In a warning to lawmakers, cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sharply criticizing the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) handling of federal data. Describing DOGE’s security protocols as dangerously inadequate, Schneier warned that the agency’s practices have put sensitive government and citizen information at risk of exploitation by foreign adversaries and criminal networks.

Five Years Later, Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera Bid Farewell to Untying Knots
Nikhil Raghuveera and Erica Light, Co-Hosts of

Podcast

Five Years Later, Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera Bid Farewell to Untying Knots

Over the past five years, Untying Knots has served as a vital platform for conversations about racial justice, systemic oppression, and community-driven change. Co-hosted by Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera, the podcast — born from a Harvard Kennedy School course in 2020 — explored how people and institutions are working to dismantle entrenched systems of racial inequity while building new frameworks rooted in justice and accountability. As the podcast concludes, Licht and Raghuveera reflect on its origins, evolution, and enduring impact, offering insights into the lessons learned and the powerful voices that shaped its journey.