Does Tech Need a Human Revolution?
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This week on Byte Back, we’re sharing excerpts from Part One and Part Two of our conversation with AnitaB.org President and CEO Brenda Darden Wilkerson—an unflinching, energizing look at what it means to lead with people at the center of progress. From the evolution of GHC to the urgency of collective care, Brenda reminds us that tech equity isn’t just a goal. It’s a responsibility.
GHC has always been more than a tech conference; it’s a gathering, a Celebration. How do you see that movement evolving in 2025 and beyond?
We have to have courage over comfort every single day. I feel like it’s an opportunity for us to get more grounded in all the things that we have in common. I can see this year, people being more open to thinking as a collective, because we won’t win unless we do so. As long standing as we’ve been, people just assume we’d always be around. I think people will be more aware that they actually have a hand in taking care of this thing that they say they care about, because there are so many things that aren’t given anymore. I think people will focus more on the human element for that reason, and the fact that they don’t get together. We don’t get to see each other as much—this is what we can do to make sure we all exist and keep coming together.
You’ve spoken about the importance of keeping people—not just technology—at the center of progress. How is that human-first philosophy showing up at GHC this year?
I think that the theme UNBOUND is about people. I think that’s our signature. It’s always people first for me. It’s always going to be people first. How are we thinking about the people when we make this tech? Or who are the people who are getting to make this tech? Or what research on people do we do? It’s got to be about people. This idea, executed well, is the very foundation of tech that works. We take every opportunity to address the fact that the highest and best use of tech is in service of people, period.
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