Underwrite the reporting
Public-interest underwriting for organizations and institutions.
FairByDesign investigates the authority given to AI systems and the consequences when control fails. Independent support pays for the time to examine documents, test claims, seek responses and keep essential findings public. Underwriters may receive clearly labeled recognition; they do not choose findings or influence coverage.
What underwriting pays for
FairByDesign follows what AI systems are actually allowed to do, who gave them that authority, what happens when control fails, and who is accountable afterward. Underwriting funds the slow parts of that work, the parts no single article pays for.
Investigations
Time to read the records, follow who asked for which change, seek responses and publish what the evidence shows, including what remains unresolved.
The Evidence Lab
Controlled, reproducible tests of AI security and governance claims, with methods published so others can check the result.
Public explanations
The free Mercury Brief, the Ethics Engine podcast and video, and open resources that keep essential findings public.
Recent reporting
Three examples of the work underwriting sustains.
The Kill-Switch Test
The button says stop. What actually stopped? Following the AI incidents behind the kill-switch debate.
The AI Act Was Reordered Just Before It Bit
What the public record shows about which requests shaped the Digital Omnibus, and where the evidence stops.
Can You Reconstruct What Your AI Did?
A six-question test for whether AI governance can actually be demonstrated after something goes wrong.
Formats: investigations, the weekly Mercury Brief, monthly Evidence Lab studies, the Ethics Engine podcast and video, field papers and guides. All reporting · Editorial standards
Underwriting Tiers
Monthly or annual. Recognition is always optional.
Public-Interest Underwriter
- Optional name/logo recognition
- Quarterly underwriter briefing
- Annual impact report
- Sponsor a public explainer or field note series (theme only)
Institutional Steward
- Everything in Public-Interest Underwriter
- Invitation to the annual stewardship salon
- Sponsor a podcast episode or a research theme
Civic Anchor
- Everything in Institutional Steward
- Annual listening session
- Lead recognition as a Civic Anchor (optional)
Larger or bespoke support? Custom Stewardship ($25,000+/year) is arranged by conversation — start here.
How to Support
Support is processed securely through Stripe — you’re invoiced automatically. At checkout you can pay by card, ACH direct debit (USD), or bank transfer (EUR or USD).
Questions first, or need something custom? Use the stewardship form below.
Pay by Card or Bank (recommended)
What it is: a secure Stripe checkout. Pay by card or US bank (ACH). Stripe emails you an invoice/receipt automatically — no waiting on us.
What you do: choose your cadence and tier below and check out. Your recognition and access are set up automatically.
Payment methods at checkout: card · ACH direct debit (USD) · bank transfer (EUR or USD).
Billed monthly. Cancel anytime.
Paying for an organization? Add your company name and tax ID at checkout — it appears on the invoice.
Talk First / Custom
Need to discuss, want a custom arrangement, or supporting above these tiers (Custom Stewardship, $25,000+/yr)? Send the stewardship form and we’ll reply by email.
Independence rules
Underwriting
Funds the public-interest reporting as a whole, or a theme. Recognition is optional and always labeled.
Advertising & sponsorship
Tools, products, podcast and YouTube sponsorships are welcome only where there is absolutely no conflict of interest with our reporting. Always labeled and kept separate from investigations.
Never for sale
Coverage, conclusions, source access, editorial review, or favorable placement in investigations. See our editorial standards.
Start a Stewardship Conversation
Tell us how you’d like to support — invoice, bank transfer, or card — and we’ll reply by email. To move now, use the card or ACH checkout above. Sponsorship and advertising inquiries are welcome here too, or at info@fairbydesign.org.
Supporting as an individual?
The Community Support Circle is for individuals and professionals, from $100/month.