Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) “Digital inclusion means using digital technology to promote inclusive development and leaving no person, home, or organization behind.” During HUAWEI CONNECT 2019, Huawei’s Deputy Chairman Ken Hu gave a speech at the TECH4ALL Summit. The theme of the summit was “How Inclusive Innovation Can Empower the World”. In his speech, Hu elaborated on Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative and shared the initiative’s current progress. He also called on more individuals and organizations to join Huawei in addressing global issues related to healthcare, education, development, and the environment. The target of TECH4ALL is to help another 500 million people benefit from digital technology in the next five years.
Technological advancements are accelerating the advent of the intelligent world. While enjoying the conveniences of science and technology, we must also look at the other side of the story. Digital gaps still exist: In many cities in China, the elderly might be unable to hail a taxi on the street, because taxis are now often booked via mobile phones. In Bangladesh, women don’t have many opportunities to learn about computers. On the Comoros, `until two years ago, the inhabitants were isolated from the outside world, because they had no communications network.
As the infrastructure of the intelligent world, the ICT industry has played a vital role in promoting national economic growth and boosting social welfare and happiness. It will also help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, enabling humanity to address challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental deterioration, economic issues, and healthcare problems. The ultimate goal is to not leave anyone behind in the digital world.
Digital inclusion: making technology warmer. Huawei has never let up in its effort in this regard. Today, Huawei pressed ahead with its long-term initiative, TECH4ALL, to promote digital inclusion. Digital inclusion means every individual and organization can equally access and use information and communications technology.
Huawei’s vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. “Digital inclusion” best reflects the social value that Huawei can create through its vision.Against this backdrop, TECH4ALL was born.“Digital technology is reshaping the world. We want it to benefit everyone and we want digital inclusion for all. In this regard, technology is the foundation, applications are the key, and skills provide assurance.”
As of today, Huawei has ensured smooth communications for more than three billion people around the world, and supported the stable operations of more than 1,500 networks in more than 170 countries and regions. Hu said that in the next five years, the company will help another 500 million people benefit from digital technology. These benefits will not be limited to connectivity, also including the benefits of technologies like AI, cloud, and smart devices as well as related applications and skills.
In the Pediatrics Department, babies cannot explain what’s wrong with them, which presents a huge challenge. Congenital eye diseases among babies and young children are some of the most difficult to diagnose in the Pediatrics Department. In many cases, young children just cry when their eyes are uncomfortable, and their parents often think they are just making a fuss out of nothing. Due to a lack of related knowledge, many children with eye diseases are left undiagnosed for too long and thus miss out on the best opportunity for treatment. This then negatively impacts the rest of their lives.
This is just a snapshot of the TECH4ALL initiative. Currently, Huawei is working with many international NGOs to address problems related to healthcare, education, development, and the environment on a much bigger scale. The TECH4ALL Summit has attracted representatives from many organizations. These include international organizations like UNESCO, WWF, and WEF, NGOs like RFCx and DIVE Medical, and governments, businesses, and industries. All of these have contributed ideas to the TECH4ALL initiative.
HUAWEI CONNECT 2019 is an annual flagship event hosted by Huawei for the global ICT industry, and is held in Shanghai from September 18 to 20, 2019. This year’s Conference is themed on “Advance Intelligence” and aims to establish an open, cooperative, and shared platform for customers and partners to explore new opportunities for an intelligent future.
