MozFest Virtual 2023 & MozFest House: Amsterdam

Dialogues & Debates: Life Online: Race, Class, Fame & Harm
Language: English (mozilla)

How has exploitation expanded and adapted from the offline world onto the online matrix? What can be the cost of pursuing fame and influence online? How does discrimination based on race and class continue to impact people’s experiences online? Where do we go from here with the internet and AI infiltrating our lives at an unprecedented speed? Join Seyi Akiwowo and Symeon Brown in a conversation about online exploitation and harm in the age of influencer economy.

Location

This session will take place on the Main Stage, in the Zonzij Room

See also: Stream

Carys Afoko is the Senior Director of Communication & External Affairs at Mozilla Foundation

Seyi is a multi award-winning founder and CEO. Before setting up Glitch, Seyi (pronounced Shay-ee) was elected as the youngest Black female Councillor in East London at age 23. It was when she experienced online abuse while in this position that Seyi decided to set up Glitch, to help support women and marginalised communities, and co-design practical solutions with Governments, NGOs and tech companies to make the online space safer for all. In true millennial style, Seyi is also a former TED speaker, respected consultant and writer within the political and tech space, and Penguin-published author of How To Stay Safe Online, a digital self-care toolkit for developing resilience and allyship.

Symeon Brown is a correspondent on Channel 4 News and currently specialises in Artificial Intelligence. Symeon is the author of "Get Rich or Lie Trying" published by Atlantic Books in 2022 described as a critical examination of the influencer economy. He has also worked for The Guardian newspaper and the Black Cultural Archives. Symeon's work has earned nominations for the Orwell Prize, the British Journalism Awards and a BAFTA as executive editor of Channel 4 News' "Black to Front" special. Symeon was also seconded to Channel 4 as a commissioning executive in current affairs and specialist factual between 2022-2023 where he was part of the team that launched the new youth documentary strand 'Untold'. He graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies and lives in London and supports Arsenal.