From Worship to Scrutiny: Tech Titans in Pop Culture and the Stories We Need Next

We’re living through a shift in pop culture – from tech founder worship (The Social Network) to increased scrutiny (The Dropout; 2026’s The Social Reckoning). But as AI advances and working people have less job security than ever, both narratives still center CEOs and erase everyone else. What do audiences actually want from tech stories? Can we make collective power feel as inevitable as disruption once did? A fishbowl conversation exploring what comes after the shift.

Speakers:

• Nicole Allred, Principal, Omidyar Network, Culture and Narrative Strategist in Technology Ecosystems
• Lynn Renee Maxcy, Screenwriter, Co-founder Creators Coalition on AI, social justice advocate with a focus on refugee resettlement + climate action.
• Meredith Levine, Fanthropolgist, Audience Development, Researcher and Strategist in attention economy
• Avriel Epps, Professor, AI & Human Development Expert, Founder of AI4Abolition and The Center for Liberatory AI Research (CLAIR)

Presented by The Tech We Want and Omidyar