Its 2019, and tech’s wild west days are drawing to an end. As the impact of the industry on people, communities, society and the environment becomes increasingly apparent, thinking beyond profit is essential.
Greater Manchester’s tech ecosystem have made clear their ambition. As a region with a progressive digital and social history, rapidly growing tech industry and strengths in security, health innovation and IOT, the private and public sector are keenly aware of the risks surrounding tech and responsibility.
Brand perception and earning people’s trust are front of mind, and though our big players have intimated that putting people central when it comes to design, development and data management is key, the potential impact on profit and ability to influence ethical decision-making more widely within their organisation.
Sponsored by Luminate and the Co-op Foundation The Federation’s Responsible Tech Collective is already working collaboratively with Hyper Island to understand how to diagnose and plan for more responsible tech practises in their organisations, but this first in series of education events is platforming those organisations who already engage in responsible tech and align purpose with profit.
With talks from industry leaders in the tech for good space, panel discussions on the tensions and tools needed in influencing responsible tech practise and a showcase of emerging ethical tech solution in Greater Manchester, they’ll explore the realities and potential of responsible tech from our region’s industry leaders.
Ben White - Reason Digital
Ben is the Managing Director of Reason Digital, a digital agency that uses technology to solve problems that actually matter. Ben is in charge of setting strategy and overseeing the execution of Reason's work; and has been working on various guises of web, application and transformation projects for public, private and third sector over the last 20 years.
Reina Yaidoo - BassaJamba
Reina Yaidoo runs Bassajamba CIC, a social enterprise exploring new ways the science, tech and health sector could work better with underserved communities ie BAME, women, lower socioeconomic groups. Collaborating with a range of organisations to reimagine innovation in disadvantaged communities with new solutions around smart city platforms, social prescription as well as researching effective methods for greater integrity and inclusion throughout the industry.
Omar Latif - We Are Assif
Omar, an ex Research Engineer for DeepMind and has worked in New York, London, Silican Valley and he now calls Manchester home. The founder of WeAreASSIF, a mental health technology startup that uses AI to spot changes in behaviour of a user, he has set up the project as a ltd and a social enterprise entity that work in tandem with one another.
Food and drink to be served.
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