Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Intel Says Big Tech Should Provide
Marguerite Reardon, "For Intel, the business side of doing good," ZDNet News.
ZDNet News has an interview with Intel Chairman Craig Barrett in which he discusses the role of tech corporations in global development. He is also the "chairman of the United Nations' Global Alliance for ICT and Development."
Here is one question that Marguerite Reardon asked the Intel Chairman:
ZDNet News has an interview with Intel Chairman Craig Barrett in which he discusses the role of tech corporations in global development. He is also the "chairman of the United Nations' Global Alliance for ICT and Development."
Here is one question that Marguerite Reardon asked the Intel Chairman:
Reardon: "How do you think the Internet and, more specifically, wireless broadband technologies such as WiMax can help reduce poverty around the world?
Barrett: The Internet and computers are tools. And the impact they make depends on how intelligently those tools are used. We believe that intelligent use of technology can make education better. You'd be hard-pressed not to say that using broadband wireless or some wireless technology and remote diagnostic equipment will not improve health care. You'd be hard-pressed not to say that bringing farmers in rural environments more information to help them figure out how to sell their products at a market themselves, and eliminate the middleman so they could keep more of the transaction value for themselves, doesn't promote economic development. You'd be hard pressed to say that a kiosk in a small village or community in a remote part of the country that helps people remotely register or sign up for certain government programs rather than (them) traveling to the big city to do that, doesn't offer a value.
So in areas of education, health care, economic development and e-governance, these benefits are no-brainers. But it has to be the intelligent use of technology and not just throwing any technology at the problem that makes a difference. I can guarantee you that a farmer in central China is not interested in reading about what's happening on Wall Street. They aren't interested in Silicon Valley content. They are interested in content which relates to them and solves the problems they have. So local content, meaningful content is the key to all of this."
