Intel leads the “Hyperlinked World” discussion at World Economic Forum, Sharm El Sheikh
Intel VP leads panel discussion on the role of technology
in shaping the world in 2025
Intel Corporation, a global partner to World Economic Forum is set to join global leaders and thinkers at this year World Economic Forum opening later this week in Sharm El Sheikh. The Forum’s main theme this year will be “Learning from the Future” and William A. Swope, Intel’s Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group, will be one of the panelist of the Global Scenario sessions – a look at how the world might look like in the future if different forces are at play.
Swope will drive the discussion titled the “Hyperlinked World” Scenario - a technological view of the world in 2025 which will see people ultra-connected through technologies like Mobile Internet Devices, WiMAX, optimized transport and communications work together to create a hyper-connected world where global boundaries are eradicated and citizens are mobile beings – a vision very close to Intel’s own.
Swope’s role at Intel allows him to drive the company’s global education and corporate contribution initiatives. Intel is a true believer in global citizenship going hand in hand with the world’s latest technology to shape the future of the region. “World Economic Forum is an important gathering which sets the economic and socio-political agenda for the months ahead. This gathering of policy-makers, business leaders and forward-thinkers will surely help shape the future of the region and the rest of the world,” says Swope. “These forums help us find solutions to the world’s economical and educational challenges and discuss how technologies like broadband and WiMAX can help by connecting people and creating one global community.”
The other two scenarios this year at the Forum are “Sustainable World”, where being a good corporate citizen and going green are paramount to success at both political and socio-economic levels and the “Multipolar World” where the centre of gravity of the business world shifts towards the East. All plausible scenarios that will be played out and form the basis of a discussion which will allow the panel and its audience to gather learning and actions points and ensure that we are preparing the world now for the right future tomorrow.
Intel strongly believes that ICT development will help pave the way for a better future especially within the Arab World. As part of this vision, Intel is set to launch an initiative in Palestine providing universities with multi-core and entrepreneurship curricula, supporting entrepreneurship competition, opening a multi-core lab, re-opening a fully-kitted computer clubhouse in Ramallah, donating Classmate PCs and as part of its commitment to US-Palestinian Partnership training 10,000 Palestinian teachers by 2011 and helping to unwire the West Bank by deploying WiMAX initiatives. At the recent U.S.-Arab Economic Forum in Washington, D.C, Intel Corporation Chairman Craig Barrett reiterated this point and shared his vision on the role of technology and education in driving a digital transformation in the Middle East, in addition to a region-wide agenda that requires the combined efforts of the public and private sectors.
“It is our duty to work with local communities, foundations and the government to help up-level technology implementation, education, connectivity, and ICT development and play a key role in the modernization and growth of this region.” says Khaled Elamrawi, Intel Country Manager, Egypt, Levant and North Africa. “The participation of so many countries, companies, and world thinkers and leaders is the key in overcoming the under-development of information and communication technology in the region, and around the world,” concluded Elamrawi.
The Intel World Ahead Program is actively involved in providing connectivity and WiMAX technology to areas in need all over the world. Intel also believes in sustainable development as an imperative for the business world. In addition, the company works at creating awareness about climate change and Green IT and is a recognized leader in sustainability in terms of effective operation management, environmentally friendly products and global voluntary initiatives and advocacy.
The World Economic Forum will take place in Sharm El Sheikh from 18th to 20th May 2008. Will Swope, Intel Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group will take part in the panel “Preparing Infrastructure for Connectivity” taking place on 19th of May at 17:30 pm.