APAICS Tech Summit Day 1

https://www.apaics.org/tech-summit 

11:00 – 11:15 AM ET / Opening Remarks

11:15 AM-  12:30 PM ET / Broadband & 5G: Access for All to High-Speed Internet: 

Advancements in technology have given people access to the fastest internet speeds we’ve seen in history, supporting everything from streaming movies to telemedicine to self-driving vehicles. Both broadband and the 5G network offer the promise of increased connectivity and accelerating innovation in nearly every aspect of the tech industry. Access to these networks, however, are not universal; often rural areas and underserved communities are left behind. With high-speed internet access essential in our daily lives, how can we ensure all Americans can connect to these advanced networks? How are companies in this industry addressing these problems? What can the government do to support the quick expansion of high-speed internet access across the country? What impact with the Infrastructure Deal have on expansion of services to hard-to-reach communities?

12:30 – 12:45 PM ET / Break

12:45 – 2:00 PM ET / The Dawning of the On-Demand Economy: The Dominance of E-Commerce:

Advancements in technology have opened a world at our fingertips. These days, a customer doesn’t have to leave their home to gain access to almost any product thanks to the development of delivery services. The companies driving these changes saw astonishing record profits in 2020 during the pandemic. As the pandemic recedes, e-commerce continues to dominate the buying of goods across the country. It is clear now more than ever our one-click consumer economy is an integral to our daily lives. What is the impact of this integrated service economy? What does this mean for small businesses? What’s the impact on the job market?

2:00 – 2:15 PM ET / Break

2:15 – 3:30 PM ET / Women in Tech: Growing the Ranks:

A broad range of initiatives across the tech industry have been implemented to promote gender equity in tech, with decidedly mixed results. Some recent studies claim the gender gap in tech is widening, especially for women of color. Women make up roughly one third of the workforce at some tech firms, yet they have a smaller share of leadership and managerial positions. What are new and innovative ways tech companies are utilizing to recruit women to their workforce? How are companies diversifying their leadership ranks, both on the board level and in the c-suite? What are best practices for recruiting women to the workforce?

3:30 – 3:45 PM ET / Break

3:45 – 5:00 PM ET / Tech Democratizing the World:

Over the last two decades, we have seen the tech sector democratize and decentralize a wide range of industries and institutions. From banking to home buying, information to exercising, technology continues to break down traditional barriers and provide more access and options to the general public. How are these trends reshaping our daily lives? What are both benefits and drawbacks to this democratization? What are the public policy implications to this democratization? What regulations are necessary to take advantage of these mold-breaking technologies?