Asian tech agenda should be people-centered, says Robredo

MANILA -- Vice President Leni Robredo urged the public and private sectors as well as the academe to focus their respective technology agendas in ensuring that economic growth become truly inclusive.

In her keynote speech during the 1st Asian Forum on Enterprise for Society (AFES) in Pasay City Tuesday, Robredo said the digital innovationled growth worldwide should focus on the interests of people, not merely on enhancing inanimate machines.

She noted that despite the global economic expansion and rapid growth of digital technology, complex problems such as hunger, poverty, inequality, violence, terrorism, and war, among many others persist.

“We must increasingly make sure the human agenda is not subsumed by the tech agenda. The fourth industrial revolution should not be just about machine. It should keep the focus on our humanity,” the Vice President stressed.

“Machines are ready for the next stage, but it seems humans are not. If I were to reimagine the future so full of exciting innovations, I propose this: That we must think of humans, especially those who are poor and marginalized in every decision that we made -- big or small,” said Robredo.

On the other hand, she recognized that innovation is driven by profit and should serve the investors as well.

“Much of innovation is driven by profit. Research and development are not cheap. Technology must also serve the capitalist, or else it will never exist,” Robredo said.

But she challenged the innovators to make the tech agenda serve not only the capitalist but also society in general.

Meanwhile, the twoday AFES 2018 is being attended by leaders, industry movers and shakers as well as those involved in the corporate social responsibility sphere in Southeast Asia. At the core of the event are discussions on how various institutions can contribute to a sustainable future for all.