Considering the Community Impact of the Tech Industry

In the 21st century, few industries wield as much influence as the technology sector. Technology has seeped into every crevice of our modern lives, impacting the way we work, communicate, and learn. This profound influence carries enormous responsibility. The tech industry, as a key player on the global stage, must be a force for positive social change, leveraging its power for the benefit of all communities.

In this article, we’ll explore the impact of the tech industry on the economy, education, and society, and discuss how tech industry leaders can use their influence to be a force for good.

Economy: Powering Growth and Innovation

The technology sector is a powerhouse of economic growth. The World Economic Forum reports: “As the global economy rapidly digitalizes, an estimated 70% of new value created over the coming decade will be based on digitally-enabled platform business models.” It contributes significantly to job creation, investment opportunities, and market innovation. Advancing technology also plays a significant role in shaping our global economic future, as job duties shift to accommodate new technological processes.

Education: The Double-Edged Sword

The tech industry’s impact on education is a complex, double-edged sword. On one hand, technology has revolutionised learning, breaking down geographical barriers and making education accessible to the farthest corners of the globe.

There’s a downside, however. The ‘digital divide’ — the gap between those with access to technology and those without — can exacerbate social and economic inequalities, both within countries and between them. For the billions of people who still don’t have access to the internet, their lack of technological access translates to poor socio-economic inclusion. The tech industry has a responsibility to bridge this divide, ensuring its advancements are accessible and beneficial to all, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Society: Tech for Good

In the realm of societal influence, the tech sector shapes cultural norms, influences policy-making, and affects nearly every aspect of daily life. For tech companies, “doing good” is no longer optional — it’s a necessity. They can lead in creating a fairer society by championing data privacy, developing technology that improves lives, and prioritising ethical considerations in AI and machine learning.

The World Economic Forum asserts that “digital technologies and the digital economy can drive sustainable, equitable, and inclusive development as well as economic growth.” One area where tech companies can accomplish this is via employment practices. By hiring diverse talent and promoting inclusive employment initiatives, tech companies can help bridge social divides and challenge systemic inequalities. A workforce that reflects the diversity of the global community also enriches ideas, innovation, and productivity, becoming a win-win for everyone.

An Opportunity for Positive Impact

By putting a deliberate strategy in place to address these and other concerns, tech companies can help drive positive community impact.

One specific area in which tech industry leaders can create a ripple effect of change is in inclusive hiring. The tech sector has historically not reflected society in terms of gender, ethnicity, or other forms of representation. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, tech industry leaders can create far-reaching impacts within their industry — and among the wider community as well. Partnering with Generation is a fantastic opportunity to implement this.

Generation is a global nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems. Our programmes prepare, place, and support individuals into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. By working with Generation, you can hire job-ready talent, fostering an inclusive workforce and driving societal change from within your organisation.

If you’re an employer in the tech industry, you have a unique opportunity to create this positive change. Consider partnering with Generation to hire graduates from our employment programmes in 17 countries. Through our unique, effective system, we can help you solve:

• Talent scarcity
• Job performance issues
• High turnover rates
• Employee reskilling needs

Not only will you be adding skilled, driven individuals to your team, you’ll also be making a contribution to societal good.

The tech industry holds immense power. It’s time to use that power for the benefit of all communities — promoting positive social change, investing in diverse talent, and fostering a more inclusive future. So, take the first step today. Visit Generation to find out how you can make a difference.

At Generation, our mission is to train, support, and place people into otherwise inaccessible career opportunities that can change their lives. Explore our employment programmes to see how we can help you or donate today to help us create career opportunities for our learners!