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Jessica Fjeld is Senior Advisor at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, and the Managing Director of the De|Center

 

As a scholar and advocate, Jessica focuses on supporting the work of human rights defenders and creatives, especially as it intersects with emerging technology. Her interests include equity and inclusion; freedom of expression; business and human rights; and the governance of artificial intelligence. She is a member of the board of the Global Network Initiative, a multistakeholder organization that protects and advances user freedom of expression and privacy around the world. 

Jessica was previously the Assistant Director of the Cyberlaw Clinic, where she mentored students and represented clients at the intersection of technology, law, and social justice. Previously, she worked in Business & Legal Affairs for WGBH Educational Foundation, where she advised the American Archive of Public Broadcasting along with numerous WGBH productions. She began her legal career as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP focused in corporate transactions. Jessica is also a poet, the author of Redwork (BOAAT Press, 2018), and the recipient of awards from the Poetry Society of America and the 92nd Street Y/Boston Review Discovery Prize. She holds a JD from Columbia Law School, where she was a Hamilton Fellow, James Kent Scholar and Managing Editor of the Journal of Law and the Arts; an MFA in Poetry from the University of Massachusetts; and a BA from Columbia University. She lives in Vermont with her family.

 


Projects & Tools

Algorithms and Justice

The use of algorithms in the judiciary has already raised significant questions about bias and fairness, and looking ahead the moral questions become even more challenging.

Responsible Generative AI: Accountable Technical Oversight

Generative AI is at a tipping point of adoption and impact, much like that of machine learning and AI years ago. But this time the stakes, regulatory environment, potential social…


Publications

Publication
Jan 15, 2020

Principled Artificial Intelligence

Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-based Approaches to Principles for AI

Comparing the contents of thirty-six prominent AI principles documents side-by-side


News

News
Nov 14, 2022

BKC Comment to the FTC on Transparency and Commercial Surveillance

On behalf of BKC and its projects and associates, the Cyberlaw Clinic submitted a comment regarding the FTC's ANPR related to commercial surveillance and data privacy.

News
Apr 6, 2020

In Principle and In Practice

Exploring AI principles from the macro- and micro-levels

Exploring AI principles from the macro- and micro-levels

News
Jun 7, 2019

Introducing the Principled Artificial Intelligence Project

Berkman Klein’s Cyberlaw Clinic launches project to map AI principles and guidelines

News
Feb 4, 2019

Template License and Collaboration Agreements for AI Art

Guidance for developers and artists on how to handle rights for AI-generated art

Artsy
Sep 17, 2018

When Art Created by Artificial Intelligence Sells, Who Gets Paid?

Jessica Fjeld, assistant director of the Cyberlaw Clinic at Harvard Law School, lends insight into the discussion of AI-created art.

Jan 22, 2018

The Cyberlaw Guide to Protest Art

In this guide, we'll cover the main areas of law that are implicated by protest art online. We’ll give you the background on what the law is and explain why it works the way it…


Community

The Conversation

Generative AI is a minefield for copyright law

BKC Assistant Director of the Cyberlaw Clinic Jessica Fjeld writes about the challenges that arise in the realm of copyright law due to the increased use of generative AI. 

Jun 15, 2023
Buzzfeed News

Meet The Three Artists Behind A Landmark Lawsuit Against AI Art Generators

Jessica Fjeld is quoted discussing the viability of lawsuits involving generative AI alleged to infringe upon artists' copyright claims. "It’s a…

Jan 20, 2023
University of Michigan School of Information

New website provides information for marginalized communities after social media bans

The University of Michigan’s School of Information teamed up with Harvard Law to provide information for marginalized communities after…

Jun 22, 2022
VICE News

Why You Should Be Worried About Facebook's Metaverse

Jessica Fjeld and other experts reflect on the apparent dangers of Facebook's Metaverse.

Dec 7, 2021
Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program

Convergence, Episode 4: Jess Fjeld

Jessica Fjeld describes the increasing relevance of AI in our lives and reflects on the importance of self-compassion.

Jun 28, 2021
CBS News

Artificial Intelligence Evolves to Creating Art

Jessica Fjeld offers legal insights on art created by artificial intelligence.

Jun 12, 2021
The New York Times

On Google Podcasts, a Buffet of Hate

Jessica Fjeld speaks with New York Times about content moderation on Google Podcasts

Mar 25, 2021
Workflow

Q&A: Can AI be virtuous?

Jessica Fjeld, lead author of Principled AI, answered questions about the report and its implications

Feb 12, 2020
Fast Company

Google and Microsoft shouldn’t decide how technology is regulated

Jessica Fjeld warns that giving too much credence to Big Tech is like “asking the fox for guidance on henhouse security procedures.”

Jan 23, 2020
Venture Beat

Meta analysis shows AI ethics principles emphasize human rights

A team of researchers from BKC recently released a white paper and visualization that mapped AI principles and guidelines to find consensus. 

Jan 17, 2020
News

Q&A: Jessica Fjeld on a New Berkman Klein Study of AI Ethical Principles

Lead author Jessica Fjeld discusses new paper "Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-based Approaches to Principles for AI"

Jan 15, 2020
Cyberlaw Clinic

Cyberlaw Clinic Releases Fall 2019 Style Guide

General tips for strong, clear, persuasive writing; advice on editing; style rules; and more

Aug 13, 2019
UNESCO

Artificial Intelligence and Creativity

Some artists now work with algorithms, and that's giving us a whole new view on human creativity

Feb 11, 2019
Cyberlaw Clinic

How Podcast Platforms Respond to Hate Speech: Clinic Releases New Memo

The Cyberlaw Clinic shares a new memorandum on content regulation policy for the podcasting community

Nov 29, 2018

Courses

Thinking like Yourself: Poetry, Law, and Social Justice - Spring 2023

It’s often said that law school teaches you to “think like a lawyer,” which suggests that there is a single way that lawyers think. What are the consequences of that assumption…

Cyberlaw Clinic Seminar - Spring 2023

This seminar is required for all students enrolled in the Cyberlaw Clinic. The course incorporates instruction about substantive legal issues at the heart of the Clinic’s…

Cyberlaw Clinic Seminar - Fall 2022

This seminar is required for all students enrolled in the Cyberlaw Clinic. The course incorporates instruction about substantive legal issues at the heart of the Clinic's…

Right-Respecting Tech Amidst Authoritarianism and Conflict - Fall 2022

As state and non-state actors with authoritarian tendencies seek to gain and wield power, technology can be a weapon and the internet a contested territory. The limitations of…

Cyberlaw Clinic Seminar - Spring 2021

This seminar is required for all students enrolled in the Cyberlaw Clinic. The course incorporates instruction about substantive legal issues at the heart of the Clinic's…

Cyberlaw Clinic Seminar - Fall 2020

Professor Christopher Bavitz, Mason Kortz,…

Cyberlaw Clinic Seminar - Spring 2020

Jessica Fjeld This seminar is required for all students enrolled in the…

Cyberlaw Clinic Seminar - Fall 2019

Professor Christopher Bavitz with Jessica Fjeld …


Events

Oct 11, 2022 @ 12:30 PM

Data at the End of the World: A Book Talk with Brian Michael Murphy

The author of "We the Dead" in conversation with Jessica Fjeld on Tuesday, October 11...

Apr 12, 2022 @ 11:00 AM

Design From the Margins: Centering the Decentered

hosted by the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

At the Belfer Center, Afsaneh Rigot discusses findings from the "Digital Crime Scenes" report with Jessica Fjeld, Jack Harrison-Quintana (Grindr), and Kathryn Harnett (WhatsApp),…

Mar 31, 2020 @ 1:00 PM

Virtual Event: In Principle and in Practice

VIDEO & PODCAST: Featuring Jessica Fjeld and Ryan Budish

VIDEO & PODCAST: A conversation about AI principles

Mar 25, 2020 @ 1:30 PM

[Canceled] Cyberlaw Clinic @ 20

Symposium on Lawyering, Tech, and the Public Interest

This event has been canceled but may be rescheduled.

Mar 17, 2020 @ 12:00 PM

[Canceled] Tech and Human Rights

A Queer Dating Apps Case Study

This event has been canceled but may be rescheduled.

Nov 5, 2019 @ 12:00 PM

Regulating Social Media

HLS Journal of Legislation’s 2019 Symposium

A three-day symposium at Harvard Law School

Event
Feb 4, 2019 @ 6:30 PM

Is A.I Laughing at us?

A conversation with Jessica Fjeld, Jon Orwant, and Nikhil Dharmaraj

Watch video from this conversation Join a spirited and accessible discussion of…

Event
Nov 30, 2018 @ 12:00 PM

Promoting Fairness, Equity, and Human Rights in Tech

Perspectives from Europe and the US on a Law and Policy Agenda

VIDEO & PODCAST: A broad overview of the landscape for regulating cutting-edge digital technologies in Europe and the US

Event
May 22, 2018 @ 12:00 PM

Art that Imitates Art

Computational Creativity and Creative Contracting

Copyright in AI-generated works, the need for a shared understanding of what is and isn’t up for grabs in a license, and how forward-thinking contracts can prevent AI developers…