Soizic Pénicaud

Research and Policy, AI and Digital Rights | MIT 35 Under 35 | Co-founder, Odap.fr | Lecturer, Sciences Po Paris

France

About

I investigate the social and political implications of digital technologies. We often hear about "centering affected communities" in digital rights and digital policy, and my obsession is to try and actually do it. My two main areas of focus: - Data and AI in the public sector, in particular in welfare; - Platform regulation and online hate and discriminations. As a researcher, consultant, and facilitator, I have extensive experience working on data policy and digital rights with civil society organizations, public institutions, and philanthropic organizations, in France and internationally. I use my multidisciplinary background in Law, Political Science, and Education to engage and build bridges between people from different backgrounds. I am also a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris' Graduate School of Public Affairs, the co-founder of Observatoire des algorithmes publics (French citizen observatory of public sector algorithms), and a former member of Feminists against cyberbullying. Interest areas: Data-driven technologies in the public sector, Artificial Intelligence, Data Justice, Data Feminism, Digital Rights, Public Policy, AI Governance, Capacity Building, Facilitation, Qualitative Research.

Experience

  • Co-Founder at Observatoire des algorithmes publics - ODAP
    Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

    Co-created France's first citizen observatory for public sector algorithms. We bring transparency to the algorithms used in the public sector and support advocates and rights defenders (civil society organizations, unions, journalists) in uncovering and challenging critical algorithms.

  • Researcher and Policy Specialist at Data and AI Policy, Digital Rights
    Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

    My work spans qualitative research, policy analysis, and strategic network building. I partner with civil society organizations, public institutions, and philanthropic foundations to strengthen human rights where technology plays a role. Highlights from my work include: - Leading investigative research in France for the Lighthouse Reports journalism collective as part of their award-winning Suspicion Machines investigation across Europe. - Supporting VoxPublic, a social justice and anti-discrimination advocacy organization, in establishing a network of over 30 French humans rights organizations to coordinate collective action on platform accountability; - Collaborating with the French Equality Body (Défenseur des Droits) to develop and deliver training on AI and discrimination; - Conducting qualitative and policy research on algorithmic videosurveillance for Amnesty International France, supporting their national campaign against facial recognition; - Authoring a comprehensive report for IA Ciudadana, a Spanish civil society coalition, analyzing and proposing recommendations on algorithm registers in the public sector; - Providing strategic analysis to foundation Luminate on the landscape of digital rights advocacy in France, informing their grant making.

  • Lecturer at Sciences Po
    Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

    Created and teaches the class "Responsible Use of Decision-Making Algorithms in the Public Sector: a Case Study Approach" to students of Sciences Po Paris' Graduate School of Public Affairs.

  • Member at Féministes contre le cyberharcèlement
    Apr 2023 - Jan 2025 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Member of intersectional feminist collective Féministes contre le cyberharcèlement. Conducted policy research and advocacy around technology facilitated gender-based violence. Supported fundraising efforts, leading to funds that allowed the organization to hire its first full-time member.

  • Etalab (French task force for Open Data) (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Head of Capacity and Community Building
      May 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

      - Led public innovation program Entrepreneurs d’Intérêt Général, as program director (managing a 5-person team) - Conducted policy analysis, experimentations and working groups on the topic of accountability of public sector algorithms - Created collaborations with civil society organizations & academia on Etalab’s topics (open data, open source, open government, data sharing, public innovation, public sector algorithms) - Supported Etalab’s other teams on capacity building actions - Wrote internal and external communication content and organized public and internal events - Represented Etalab at conferences and public events (g0v, French Wikimedia Days, RightsCon, Internet Governance Forum)

    • Open Innovation Officer
      Sep 2017 - May 2020 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Coordinated public innovation program Entrepreneurs d’Intérêt Général, working under the direct supervision of the program director, within a cross-disciplinary 5-person team. Tasks as program coordinator included: - Fellows and project selection & matching (call for projects, call for applications) - Program & budget management - Program evaluation - Design and implementation of the capacity building program - Community building - Project mentorship - Internal and external communications (written content, events) Regularly took part in other projects at Etalab, in particular the work on public sector algorithms. Applied and spoke at international conferences on behalf of Etalab Planned and facilitated internal strategy seminars ranging from 6-40 people.