Technology: the Next Government Sector? (Let’s hope so!)

According to the United State’s chief of technology officer, Megan Smith, the U.S. government is years behind in embracing technology, compared to the United Kingdom.  Smith also comments that technology needs to “show up” for its government.  The tech industry is flourishing in the private sector, but if we want to catch up to other countries in terms of technology effectiveness, then it’s time tech companies start having a different attitude towards the government.  “The standard Silicon Valley attitude to government has been that it gets in the way and slows things down; the essence of Silicon Valley libertarianism: why wait for the government to act, when we can build nearly anything ourselves?”  Smith is urging tech leaders to think differently. Technology is changing the foundation for not only business, but society, culture and politics as well.  It has become interlaced with almost all things that an individual depends on, so it only makes sense that our government be able to provide the utmost services, but they need professionals to lay the groundwork. 

Read more about Smith’s idea here 

China Suspends Tech. Regulation

At the end of last year, a conflict began brewing between the U.S. and China regarding a rule calling for companies that sell computer equipment to Chinese banks, to turn over intellectual property and submit source code.  As of recently, China has suspended this policy to keep foreign technology companies from leaving China’s banking sector.  What’s actually at stake is billions of dollars of business for major American companies that make the advanced databases for banks across China.  Companies such as Microsoft, IBM and Apple have complained that such policies are protectionist.  The suspension is temporary, and it is unclear how regulators are going to change the rules, but either way, this issue will be problematic to tech companies on a multinational level.

Check out more of the details regarding the regulatory issue here 

Ad Tech Industry is joining the Big Leagues

If you have been paying any attention to the ad tech industry over the past two years, then you know that some major changes have been happening.  The ad tech industry has been consolidating like crazy; larger companies are starting to realize the massive opportunity in online, programmatic and mobile advertising, and small ad tech companies are developing the technologies that will push ad tech through the advertising stratosphere.

Read about the future of ad tech companies here