Silicon Valley is a curiously parochial place.
Despite having users around the world, tech giants often overlook or misunderstand regions beyond their home turf.
This myopia isnt solely confined to companies.
We all view tech through a localized prism which is why Im excited about Priscilla Chomba-Kinywas talk atTNW Conference.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
These experiences have given her uniquely international insights into techs power and perils particularly in the Global South.
AtTNW Conference on June 17, Chomba-Kinywa will explain how to deliver inclusive tech to all communities.
you’re able to read about her thoughts below.
Big Tech can be small-minded about the Global South.
Products conceived in Silicon Valley dont always fit the needs and skills of Southern nations.
Their launch can stymie homegrown competitors and fueldigital colonialism.
The need for expertise is particularly vital indatascience andAI.
Her words echo those of Timnit Gebru, a computer scientist who wascontroversially fired from Googlein 2020.
Gebru says the incentive structures in US industry and academia are too intertwined with tech giants.
Her lab aims to take AI research into the places they neglect.
On the ground
Chomba-Kinywa recalls her spell as an innovation lead for UNICEF a decade ago.
A team from New York had pitched using drones for medical deliveries in her home country of Zambia.
Somebody might shoot that thing down.
We had to add a project pillar around communication with local communities.
These are things you might miss when you dont have the local context or expertise to translate certain things.
Chomba-Kinywa aims to mitigate this risk by expanding local capabilities.
Some want to increase their data science skills; others prioritize a more collaborative culture.
The objective is to mold strategies around their individual needs.
Priscilla Chomba-Kinywa has worked on tech projects across over 50 countries and five continents.
This approach can tap into localized innovations.
There would be many more technological breakthroughs in the Global South if internet penetration was higher.
Chomba-Kinywa points to Zambia as an example.
In contrast, the internet sector alone comprisedaround 10% of US GDP in 2018.
If Zambia had the same level of internet penetration, the impact could be transformative.
That money could transform internet access and digital skills which would be in Big Techs interests.
Africas fast-expanding population and markets offer huge opportunities for businesses with slowing growth in their home markets.
Priscilla Chomba-Kinywa is speaking atTNW Conferenceon June 17.
Check out the full list of speakershere.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
