Tristan Harris' Center for Humane Technology lays off half its staff, goes 'founder-led'
nordicinst · x · 2026-10-08
Per WIRED, the Center for Humane Technology — cofounded by ex-Googler Tristan Harris and featured in The Social Dilemma — is laying off about half of its 16 non-founder staff (9 departures, including ED Julie Guirades and strategy director Camille Carlton) and ending its policy research and litigation work.
Key points:
- The cuts came shortly after courtroom wins against social media companies, built on research alleging platforms deliberately hooked kids
- 16 former staffers describe years of internal tension over direction: running both a Harris-fronted advocacy group and a think tank stretched the org too thin
- The board says the nonprofit will now focus on "public education, targeted briefings, and private coordination," leaning on its strength reaching broad audiences and decisionmakers
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