Tech and the Marginalized

Project Good Podcast

Episode summary:

In a world where bias is everywhere, it often seems impossible to achieve true neutrality. In many countries, technology is often looked at as the equalizer but within the process of trying to attain, maintain, and grow the usage of technology, barriers are often faced by marginalized groups and communities around the world leading to further inequalities.

Globally the leaders of technology are Japan, South Korea, China, and the United States leaving most of the world out of the loop in terms of development and non-permission-based access. This lack of access continues to widen the economic and social gaps between the nations that struggle to obtain permission to deploy new technologies to their populations. If true change economically and socially is wanted globally, having access to and knowing how to use technology is key.

During our special addition, the first CTO Technical Advisor to Microsoft, William A. Adams discussed the concept of tech with understanding as the way to start working towards minimizing the gaps between populations that have easy and regular access.

Topics discussed in this episode:

- What is Tech [5:59]

- Fake News [15:46]

- The Speed of Technology [21:46]

- Understanding Where People Stand [27:15]

- Becoming Homogenized [33:24]

- Global Emergency [38:00]

- Health and Technology [41:15]

- Giving Access [44:00]

- Practical Needs [47:21]

- The Appeal [48:29]

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Quote:

“If you are one of those marginalized, you better do it because it's in the preservation of your own tribe. So that's one reason to do it. If you do not consider yourself one of those marginalized communities, think at a higher level. It's like, well, we're all part of humanity, so you are part of the community. But if that doesn't appeal to you, just think of the total addressable market. You can address more of the market. If you'll tailor your products to suit more people, and that is true diversity, you're going to sell more and that's why you're in business, is to sell and get rich.”

Guest Bio:

Williams A. Adams Microsoft’s First CTO Technical Advisor, and Founder of WAAV Studio LLC, a tech company finding tech talent and providing them with seed financing to develop new companies and technologies. In addition, WAAV Studio's ultimate plan is to create and grow companies owned by minorities, people of color, and women.

Acting as an intrapreneur, William has founded and overseen global initiatives that revolutionize how underserved communities access jobs and launch careers at Microsoft. He spent three years building the Engineering Excellence program in Hyderabad, India, designed to empower local engineers to succeed on a world stage.

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