Robison: How Technology is Changing the Global Equation
The Techonomy conference has gathered some of the most forward-thinking leaders in the world to discuss the coming together of technology and the economy.
Its central idea—that innovation can redefine entire industries and ultimately provide the backbone for growth—is very much in line with how HP sees the world. Regardless of industry or company, we’re all looking for growth. And when you look at the macro trends around us, growth is the common theme.
In the next 15 years, we’ll add 1 billion people to the planet.
In the developing world, we have exploding younger populations that will be looking to participate in the global economy. Across the world, the “global middle class” will grow from 440 million to 1.2 billion in the next 20 years.
Cities are growing at a breathtaking rate: 60 million people per year. That’s the equivalent of adding another Beijing every other month.
And finally, the growth of information is on fire. Digital content doubles every 12-18 months. In the year 2020 alone, 50 trillion gigabytes of data will be created.
The good news:A wave of innovation is redefining what’s possible.
From nano-scale sensors to intuitive mobile devices, we can transform the noise of the information explosion into knowledge. Information technology will be the key to harnessing and democratizing the power of information.
We can redefine entire sectors and change the equation in energy, health care, education, and a long list of other segments. In the process, we’ll transform the way people live, the way businesses operate and the way the world works.
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Shane Robison is Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Office of Hewlett Packard
