The tech industry doesn’t have the best reputation these days.
And I can understand why.
Tech has made tremendous progress over the past decades with the ongoing promise of enabling a better future.
Yet, it is now widely recognized that tech companies have negatively affected our societies – and, to a large extent, our planet.
The list of challenges is long. Understandably, I ponder my role in these:
- Did I facilitate invasive personal data collection and trading?
- How addictive were the interfaces of the applications my teams created?
- What did I do to reduce e-waste?
- Did we realize how much energy would be devoured by these ever-growing AI tools?
These are just a few of these guilt-producing questions.
But is it a reason for me and all of us in Tech to feel ashamed?
All the ingredients for us to be conflicted about our role in Tech are here. Yet, the ethical challenges are complex, and the tech industry operates within a broader environment with different forces in play.
After all, Tech has been such a positive life changer for all of us. Access to knowledge has never been greater. What felt impossible has now been accomplished in so many domains. What took forever can now happen instantly.
Yet, if we want Tech progress to contribute to a brighter future, we need to advocate for ethical practices at all levels. Responsible technology development, with transparent guidelines and standards, should become the norm.
So, how can you and I influence this at our tiny level? Here’s what I’ve learned to practice over time:
#1 – My consumer status wields significant influence
As a consumer, every purchase I make is a vote of confidence in the companies behind that technology. Where I spend my money shapes the market, and I plan to support businesses that resonate with my values.
It’s not limited to my wallet. My time and attention are also valuable, particularly with social media platforms. So, I vote with my time by investing it in products and services that align with my principles.
#2 – I’m a change agent at companies I’m working with
Let’s face it: aligning 100% with your company values and practices is rare. It doesn’t mean I shouldn’t advocate for changes from within.
I once worked with a company that lacked robust data privacy measures. That was a big deal, so I investigated industry best practices for data privacy and security, started conversations within the team about its importance, and helped generate the proposal for policy changes with the right decision makers.
By taking these steps, I leveraged my position to advocate for positive change, making the organization more responsible, ethical, and aligned with my values.
#3 – I invest where my values are
Investing is a lot about financial returns. But not only. I’ve learned to use it to support companies that adopt ethical and sustainable practices.
On that commitment to data privacy example, I investigate the respective policies of tech companies I’m considering for investment. Their track record can tell a lot.
I’ve also started to invest more in ESG-Focused Funds. These funds tend to do a better job than others at screening companies based on ethical and sustainable criteria.
Although I’m not into using shareholder meetings to engage with executives at these tech companies, I participate in shareholder proxy votes and pay specific attention to data privacy.
These are just a few examples to get you started. You can also do much as a citizen by voting for representatives who best defend your values.
I love Tech. It has undeniably ushered in positive change. And while the industry faces justified scrutiny for its negative impacts, I won’t succumb to shame, but I still want to help address its dark side.
Whether as citizens, consumers, employees, or investors, we can collectively shape the tech industry’s trajectory.
So, let’s act and commit to responsible technology development. It will ensure a brighter future.