ITU Network of Women Interviews | Megan Smith, Entrepreneur and Engineer

Megan Smith introduces herself as an entrepreneur and engineer who previously served as the United States Chief Technology Officer under President Obama, having spent many years developing technologies in Silicon Valley. She expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to speak and emphasizes that one of the most impactful actions we can take is to promote the visibility of everyone's contributions to technology and innovation. By highlighting these achievements, she aims to inspire confidence in the collective ability of both men and women to create solutions today while building upon the innovations of the past. A central theme of her message is the historical recognition of women's pivotal roles in science and engineering, illustrated by the story of Ada Lovelace from 1843. Smith points out that Lovelace wrote the first algorithm for humanity and envisioned a future where mathematics could be applied to understand the human cerebrum, much like astronomy was used to study the stars. She notes that despite having a distinctive appearance often compared to Princess Leia in historical portraits, Lovelace's foundational work involved Bernoulli's equation, demonstrating that women have long been driving forces behind major scientific breakthroughs. Smith argues that acknowledging these historical figures is essential for fostering a sense of shared heritage and future potential. She believes that knowing we stand on the shoulders of giants who created in the past empowers us to create today and innovate for tomorrow. This confidence, rooted in the understanding that innovation is a collaborative effort across genders and generations, is vital for continuing progress in technology. Ultimately, her message calls for a continued celebration of diverse contributions to ensure that future generations feel equally capable of shaping the world through engineering and entrepreneurship.