Student Testimonial

January 16, 2025

Dear Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative, 

My name is Matt, and I’m a master’s student at Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, with a passion for creating fair and sustainable policies for workers in the tech-driven economy. I’m writing because, as we enter the first 100 days of a new administration, I want to ensure the challenges facing gig workers are top of mind for Congress and the President—and I believe Aspen is uniquely positioned to lead on this issue.

While gig work offers flexibility and opportunity, workers face significant challenges—many driven by the unchecked power of major platforms. Issues like algorithmic opacity, unfair pay structures, and data privacy abuses undermine worker protections and create a system where workers have little recourse or transparency. Without strong accountability, these platforms will continue to exploit workers and deepen economic inequality.

The Future of Work Initiative has a critical role to play in pushing for policies that prioritize fairness and transparency in the gig economy. We need platforms to disclose how algorithms determine pay and scheduling, respect worker data privacy, and provide meaningful pathways for gig workers to secure better benefits and protections. This isn’t about stifling innovation—it’s about ensuring innovation works for the people who drive it.

This issue is personal to me because it represents a broader fight for economic equity in a tech-driven world. I’m confident that Aspen can shape the national conversation and advocate for bold, evidence-based solutions to these challenges. If there’s any way I can contribute or support your efforts, I’d be honored to help.

Thank you for your leadership on this issue. I look forward to seeing how Aspen drives progress in this space.

Best,

Matt