Tristan Harris

Tristan Harris is a technology ethicist and digital rights advocate who emerged as a leading voice in the movement against manipulative design practices in social media and technology platforms. After working at Google as a design ethicist, he co-founded the Center for Humane Technology in 2018 to address what he calls the "attention economy"—the business model of extracting and monetizing user attention through algorithmic engagement.

Harris gained widespread public visibility through his appearance in the 2020 Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, which examined how social media platforms exploit psychological vulnerabilities to maximize user engagement at the expense of mental health, democracy, and social cohesion. The film positioned him as a key insider-turned-critic of Silicon Valley's practices.

Beyond The Social Dilemma, Harris has expanded his critique to artificial intelligence through The AI Dilemma, applying similar frameworks to emerging AI systems. His work emphasizes the need for regulatory reform, corporate accountability, and design principles that prioritize human wellbeing over engagement metrics. He has become an influential figure in tech policy discourse, testifying before Congress and advising policymakers on digital ethics and AI governance.

Tristan Harris is a technology ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, an organization dedicated to addressing the societal harms of digital platforms. Originally trained in persuasive technology at Stanford, he worked at Google before becoming a prominent advocate for digital wellbeing and ethical AI. He is best known for his work on The Social Dilemma documentary and subsequent advocacy around attention economy and AI risks.