Neema Iyer is a digital artist, technologist and coach working globally and living in Sydney.

You can follow her on Twitter, LinkedIn, and at neemaiyer.com.

Published in November 2023.

Tell us a little about your career journey: How did you come to work in technology policy?

My career journey into technology policy took a long and convoluted route. I grew up loving computers and video games, but never imagined a career in technology. I ended up studying public health, and I’ve actually met quite a few people who entered technology policy via a health route. 

I am an epidemiologist and researcher by training, and over the past decade, I have worked on numerous research initiatives, focusing particularly on the African continent. My career in technology policy began with my work at the RAND Corporation, where I explored the impact of emerging technology, particularly in mental health. In 2017, I founded Pollicy, aiming to assist governments in using data for improved service delivery. There was a significant gap in how data was being used, especially in the African context, in terms of evidence-based decision making. And, I felt like we were not where we needed to be in terms of how we conceptualized, collected, processed and disseminated data.

During the first year, I struggled a bit with finding direction. Then in 2019, I had the opportunity to join the Feminist Internet Research Network. The network changed my path of thinking about tech to be more feminist leaning. As such, the work of Pollicy evolved into focusing on feminist digital technology and policy. Now, we’re thinking more holistically about what data means for us, what it can do for us, how to take back ownership of our data, and what it means to think about the future of data and the lives of Africans and people in the Global South in a way where we are writing our own tech destiny.

In the past few months, I stepped down from my role of Executive Director of Pollicy, and now play more of an advisory role as I figure out my next steps. The organisation is at a solid place after 6 years and I felt that it would continue to blossom and grow under new leadership.

What are some of the current AI policy challenges you’re working on or you think are important to pay attention to?

My work at Pollicy focused heavily on addressing AI policy challenges related to digital inclusion, accessibility, resilience, online violence, mis/disinformation, fair work, and gender data. We place great emphasis on addressing the digital gender divide and ensuring that technology does not perpetuate biases or harm marginalised groups. The focus at Pollicy is on making technology inclusive, fair, and beneficial without causing harm, considering diverse global contexts and the specific challenges faced by African women. 

Right now, I’m thinking about the future of work and what that looks like in the next 5-10 years alongside AI.

What advice do you have for those interested in technology policy? 

For those interested in technology policy, my advice is to firstly read tons. There’s been an explosion of content in the past decade on technology policy from across the world, and to read content from different countries and from authors from different industries. 

Secondly, to follow people or conversations from different backgrounds—so, on one side civil society, and on the other side, private sector—to understand where both groups are coming from. 

Thirdly, to decide on a niche area to focus on, for example, becoming an expert on data governance as it applies to the health sector, specifically. And then most importantly, to write! I’ve found some of my best colleagues, collaborators and friends by discovering their writing. It’s helpful for people to learn about how you think, what you stand for and your views on issues you’re passionate about.

What skills do you think are important for success in technology policy, and how could readers acquire them?

Technology policy is huge and it’s easy to get lost in it. What I find most important is effective communication—which includes writing, speaking, simplifying concepts. I also appreciate practitioners who amplify the work of others, offer to provide feedback and be a thought partner, contribute to working groups and show that they actually care about the issues that they are working on.

Are there innovations related to data stewardship or digital rights that you’ve seen in your work that you’d like to highlight for our readers? 

I love projects that bring gnarly topics around data governance or rights to communities for discussion. At Pollicy, we’ve had a number of projects where we brought together artists or local government leaders or university students together to discuss different aspects of data. While I believe policymaking happens with technocrats and governments, I love initiatives that bridge the gap between communities and policies. 

One of my favourite projects that I worked on is called “Create Your Kampala”, which involved local communities, local government and artists in the data collection process to foster ownership and active participation. In my work, I strive to make data as intersectional as possible, avoiding concentrated power dynamics and producing equitable outputs. 

Are there any programs, resources, or books you’d especially recommend for those interested in tech policy in general, and AI policy in particular?

As I’m a fan of creating a feminist internet, my favourite reading is from the Association for Progressive Communication’s GenderIT resources. Some of the best thinking and writing by feminist technologists. According to the website, it’s

“a think tank OF and FOR women’s rights, sexuality, sexual rights and internet rights activists, academics, journalists and advocates. We carry articles, news, podcasts, videos, comics and blogs on internet policy and cultures from a feminist and intersectional perspective.”

This is part of a series of career profiles, aiming to make career stories and resources more accessible to people without easy access to mentorship and advice. If you have suggestions for what questions you’d like to see answered in these profiles, please fill out our feedback form.