Technology acts as a support network for on-ground initiative: Subi Chaturvedi, InMobi

At the e4m Do Good Conference 2024, Subi Chaturvedi, Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs and Public Policy Officer, InMobi, discussed responsible technological innovation, use of technology for a more sustainable future and inclusive growth.

Chaturvedi started the session by talking about how the difficulty of being good is largely that everybody else will tell you what good looks like.

“Our obsession currently with technology is so high that everybody and every organisation is being told to deploy technology. If there is no technology in your solution, you are not cool enough so that's one of the things that we need to take a step back.”

She moved on to share that the biggest crisis that the world is dealing with, in terms of communication, is trust.

“One of the biggest crises that people are talking about is trust. A crisis of trust, not just in systems, but in narratives that large corporations may put out. Edelman does the trust barometer every year, year on year, and they look at gaps that exist. So ultimately what we're trying to do is gain trust, and gain belief in the promise that we're making.”

Chaturvedi mentioned that this conversation on trust, authenticity and accountability has become more relevant and important post Covid and how there is greater scrutiny on CSR.

“Say you want to tell a good story, but that can't be the core or only objective that you're trying to achieve via social impact or CSR. You can't use CSR to wash your sins. You may offset a lot of baggage for the environmental impact that your business as a process may create, but it can't touch things on the surface.”

The InMobi executive also expanded on the need for purpose to be integrated in solutions and products authentically. “When we are crafting for programs, our ask is how do I make sure that not only am I solving for my business continuity, but what I'm doing is a

aligning with my mission, my vision, my purpose as a brand, especially for a consumer tech brand.”

“It is important to make sure that my core technology or my product integrates purpose, which is organic. It is exciting enough to allow my HR to give my employees about half a day off or a day off and give them paid time off from work to make sure that they're volunteering. That conversation is where you understand and you solve problems around business,” she added.

She then moved forward to discussing how one knows that a particular program needs the deployment of a particular technology. “The people at WEF came up with a definition that It's a space where you can use technology to take on big social and environmental challenges, which you may not get the desired impact if you decide to solve through manual interventions.”

“What is it that tech can help you achieve? It can have a transformative impact. It can act like a support network to on-ground initiatives. It can help you build movements. It can help you recruit causes. It can help you recruit people and champions to create bottom-up movements.”

Chaturvedi discussed the use of technology to highlight and humanise the face of one’s cause. She said, “I see tech making a difference because it helps you bring in change. It's a bit like giving a Nobel Peace Prize to a certain president of a certain country, you may not directly think that is making an impact but what happens is that you end up putting a spotlight on a cause that the world must address. So it's helpful to get more notice.”

She ended the session sharing how one becomes a brand of purpose. “The why of it is really important. If you want to save tigers, save tigers but if your board then wants to know why tigers, you must then have a really good answer on how it integrates with your core purpose and how is it that you will continue to sustain a project.”