Diversity drive in urban tech procurement

A report from the Aspen Institute on urban tech procurement argues that "[t]he people and companies creating these technologies should be as diverse as city residents themselves." The report highlights a deficiency in the industry today and goes on to make several recommendations about how cities can improve the way they spend money on smart cities, civic tech, and urban tech solutions through public procurement to cultivate a more representative group of suppliers. These steps include breaking down larger procurements into smaller projects, and expanding outreach among entrepreneurs of color.

This publication by a leading think tank indicates a growing awareness of not only the economic development opportunity urban tech provides for entrepreneurs from historically disadvantaged groups, but also how the lack of diversity may exacerbate the 'colonizing' effect of these industries, by increasing the likelihood of embedding implicit bias in technology. This awareness and action is likely to grow and reshape government's priorities and the industry's practices.