How can technological innovation be made inclusive to combat social strife?

The one-size-fits-all approach is often inadequate, as it fails to account for the unique challenges and preferences of individuals with different abilities, cultural backgrounds, and economic circumstances.

Involve a broad spectrum of users in the design and development process. This can be achieved through user research, surveys, and focus groups that include participants from different socio-economic backgrounds, age groups, genders, and abilities. This ensures that the technology addresses the varied needs and challenges of its users.

To ensure technological innovation is inclusive, integrate anthropology into user-centric design: - Anthropological Insight: Include anthropologists to analyze how cultural and social factors affect user interactions with technology, providing deep insights into user needs. - Iterative Design Process: Utilize diverse user feedback to refine technology iteratively, ensuring it meets user expectations and improves quality of life. Prioritizing user needs prevents ineffective or harmful outcomes, as seen in the atomic bomb’s development, which lacked ethical consideration. Embedding anthropology ensures technology is both innovative and beneficial for all users.

True, policies are designed to actively encourage diversity in tech development - when different voices contribute, we get more innovative solutions. Addressing barriers—such as gender, race, or socioeconomic status—ensures that everyone has a seat at the table. Some groups face systemic barriers to accessing technology. Policies can bridge this gap by promoting digital literacy, affordable internet access, and tech education. Inclusivity means ensuring that no one is left behind. Policy frameworks provide clarity. They set expectations for ethical AI, data privacy, and responsible tech deployment. Clear guidelines prevent misuse and promote responsible innovation.

From my experience in the field, fostering inclusivity goes beyond just access. We need to design technology with empathy for a wider range of users. This means incorporating accessibility features from the get-go, but also understanding the social and economic factors that might affect how people interact with technology. By designing for inclusivity, we can ensure that innovation empowers everyone, not just a select few.

In my experience, fostering a culture of innovation goes beyond technical literacy. We need to bridge the gap between STEM education and real-world problem-solving. Encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration alongside technical skills empowers individuals, especially from underserved communities, to become active participants in shaping the future of technology. This not only fosters inclusivity but also unlocks a wider range of perspectives and solutions.

Your organisation should foster continuous learning and awareness. This is not done with a half a day workshop on inclusion. The goal should be to provide ongoing training and educational opportunities for employees to deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This could include guest speakers, or immersive experiences on a high frequency that challenge assumptions and promote cultural awareness.

Collaborate with local community organizations, leaders, and influencers who understand the specific needs and dynamics of the community.

True ethical innovation requires going beyond simply mitigating harm. We need to focus on building technology that actively promotes social good. This means incorporating community needs assessments, user feedback loops, and impact evaluations throughout the design and development process. By prioritizing positive societal impact alongside functionality, we can ensure technology becomes a force for shared prosperity and progress.

Two things that are often neglected in the field of technological innovation are 1) that your product must uphold strong privacy and data protection standards, ensuring that personal data collected through technological innovations is handled responsibly and transparently. Provide clear information and choices to users regarding data collection and usage practices. Secondly I had great success by addressing the digital divide by promoting equitable access to technology, digital literacy training and affordable connectivity solutions. It is about a culture of collaboration with communities, educational institutions, and non-profits to create pathways for underrepresented groups to participate in and benefit from technological advancements.