Tech For Good: What does it actually mean?

Tech For Good. A phrase you'll no doubt have heard as it’s seemingly become more popular, but what does it actually mean?

When we asked people to answer that very question some stumbled whilst others were confident. It turns out that there's an element of confusion in the actual definition, blurred lines so to speak. The end the consensus was as follows: Tech For Good is using technology to do good in the world. Whilst we agree in part, it begs the question: who defines what 'good' is?

So we took our research online. As expected, the wording differed but the message was pretty much the same throughout. Tech for good can be defined as using technology for positive social, environmental, and economic benefit. The emphasis being very much on people and planet.

With a broad definition, it's no surprise that the 'criteria' for being a tech for good company is unclear too. Our take is that an organisation aligning with the Tech For Good movement will usually sit in one of the following two camps.

Camp One

An organisation whose primary goal is to use technology to directly address and solve a social or environmental issue. A great example of this is Young Planet; an app that enables parents to find new homes for their child's unwanted toys and clothes, thus saving them from going to landfill. The issue they're solving is excessive, non-recyclable waste. Everything on the app is free, so there's a social benefit too.

We are proud to be part of the movement and work with some incredible organisations who fit perfectly under the Tech For Good umbrella.

Camp Two‍

Socially responsible organisations whose product or service doesn't traditionally sit under the Tech For Good umbrella, but their operations have a positive impact on society. B Corps are a great example of this.

We work with a number of these organisations who do great things in this world using technology. Those who sit in Camp Two.

Take a look inside the above camps, and many will be Changemakers. The people who stray from the norm to achieve their goals. The ones that change the game. These businesses know that looking after our world is everyone's responsibility. They all have an element of purpose within their operations and give something back to the world; whether that be their sole mission as a business or as part of their operations.

Whilst the definition of Tech For Good might not be set in stone, there’s no doubt that technology plays a vital role in shaping our world. Unfortunately for us, tech knows no purpose. So it’s over to us recognise its capabilities, the opportunities it creates, and the solutions it can deliver. At Thought Quarter, we're born problem-solvers - there's nothing we love more than fixing things (for good). When we partner with changemakers who are working to fix our world's problems, great things happen. It's a dream partnership. Together, we're building a better world.