A global pandemic has laid bare fundamental weaknesses in the economy, healthcare system, and society of the US and other nations. Despite understandable outrage among many citizens, there are reasons for optimism about the possibilities for widespread systemic change. Among them: new technology allows for directly impacting and improving the lives of millions globally at scale.

New data tools and the digital revolution are accelerating social development across every sector, from health to agriculture, financial services, and education. These powerful new capabilities, properly harnessed, have the potential to supercharge well-being for many more people. But they bring challenges in innovation and how to effectively scale to improve millions of lives long-term. In many cases, we have the tools and technology to make a difference, but they sit on laboratory shelves. What we need are more social activists focused on building out those ideas to connect with the daily lives of real communities.

This important and timely conversation will feature three remarkable leaders making a difference at the intersection of technology and health for positive social impact: Steve Davis, the former CEO of PATH and current advisor with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be joined by Keller Rinaudo, CEO and co-founder of Zipline, and Vin Gupta MD, Affiliate Assistant Professor at The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at University of Washington.

Sharing personal experiences of transforming medical supply delivery with drones in Rwanda to battling COVID in the US, they will address such questions as: What are some leading digital tools being used to positively impact communities around the world today? How can entrepreneurs and doctors navigate the inherent challenges these tools present while leveraging them to bring about social change? Why is scaling innovations becoming more important today? How will tech transform and impact medicine?

Their wide-ranging discussion will offer stories and insights related to the new book by Steve Davis, Undercurrents: Channelling Outrage to Spark Practical Activism, and explain why to be optimistic about advancements in scaling technology for social good to improve the well-being of people around the world.

What are some of these digital tools being used to positively impact communities around the world today? How can activists navigate the inherent challenges these tools present when trying to leverage them to bring about social change? Who is best equipped to address the privacy and ethics concerns involved? Why is the aspect of scaling innovations becoming more important today? How can citizens now funnel current outrage into practical activism?

Data and digital tools will continue to bring valuable new capabilities to our world, revolutionizing everything from health care to education—even as they present daunting new challenges for activists to navigate. Steve Davis, the former CEO of PATH and current advisor with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shares his personal experiences and stories from his new book, Undercurrents: Channelling Outrage to Spark Practical Activism, in this important and timely conversation.

Speakers:

Steve Davis, Senior Strategy Advisor and Interim Director, China Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Keller Rinaudo, CEO & Cofounder, Zipline

Moderator:

Vin Gupta, Assistant Professor of Health Metrics Sciences, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

The event is hosted on Eventbrite using zoom . Attendees will need to be signed in to join the event. Only registrants with a unique email address will receive a confirmation.