Q&A with Gautum Srivastava

Q&A with Gautum Srivastava, AMD Regional Vice President for the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan

AMD's Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Pakistan, Gautam Srivastava, is located in Dubai and oversees a diverse landscape of cultures, politics and business policies. We sat down with Gautam to hear his views on digital inclusion.

AMD’s Gautam Srivastava (far right) is shown cutting the ribbon at the Nedbank 50x15 Learning Lab with officials from Nedbank (left) and the Nelson Mandela High School (center).

Why is 50x15 important in your eyes, both for AMD and for the world?
I believe that knowledge is power and that accessible information is the key to this knowledge. That said, I see 50x15 as a means to better peoples' lives and enhance the world we live in. I see so much untapped potential around the world — the key to unleashing this potential is empowerment and I believe increasing access to the Internet and improving computer skills are vital moves in the right direction in realizing this empowerment.

You are responsible for a very diverse region (Middle East, Africa and Pakistan). What cultural, political and business policies need to be taken into consideration when engaging in digital inclusion initiatives in the region?
The diversity in the digital and cultural landscape across the region presents a challenge that can only be met by a collective effort. Since 50x15 was announced by AMD CEO and Chairman Hector Ruiz in 2004, it has been consistently emphasized that no single entity can accomplish the vision of 50x15 on its own. For this reason, it is paramount that across the region, private, public and government organizations work together toward the common goal of a more connected world. The private-public partnerships that must be forged to bridge the digital divide have to include a broad range of solutions from a wide range of innovative industry and government leaders. For 50x15 deployments to be successful in the region, country-specific geo-sensitive ecosystems comprised of various combinations of local governments, NGOs, partner organizations, educational institutions and thought leaders must be established.

Srivastava in the newly equipped Nedbank 50x15 Learning Lab at the Mandela High School in Gugulethu, S. Africa.

What role do you see 50x15 playing in opening doors to new business opportunities and collaboration between AMD and its partners in the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan?
It is important to realize that people are looking for the right technology to enhance their lives and they are generally willing to pay for this technology. I have been amazed at how little people are interested in hand-outs. As long as we continue to view and operate 50x15 as a business venture instead of a charity, the initiative will inevitably open doors to new business opportunities. The business models generated by 50x15 must be financially self-sustainable and replicable. Essentially 50x15 should combine goodwill with good business. While the aim of 50x15 is to bring lasting change to the global population, economic opportunities must be identified and created along the way.

You recently attended the launch of the Nedbank 50x15 Learning Lab near Cape Town, South Africa. What insights did you gain from the visit regarding doing good business and goodwill simultaneously in the region?
It was a heartwarming experience to witness the immense gratitude that the pupils and teachers showed in response to the 50x15 Learning Lab implemented at Mandela High. Gratitude for something most of us take for granted: the basic right of access to information. Our technology partnership with Nedbank has enabled us to meet the needs of the school children at Nelson R. Mandela High School in Gugulethu and this learning lab will serve as a step in leveling the playing field through technology so that children in this school are empowered to operate on the same level as those in more developed parts of South Africa. Most importantly, however, are the far-reaching effects of this deployment. The positive spin-offs from this digital inclusion project extend far beyond the students and teachers at the school into the greater community by providing an incredible community resource for educational and economic development opportunities. This means that an entire community now has the opportunity to become empowered and to change their lives. This is the result of goodwill coupled with good business.

Srivastava and Mandela High School officials await the opening of the new Nedbank 50x15 Learning Lab classroom.

What is the one thing that has surprised you the most through your experiences with 50x15?
It's not so much a thing that has surprised me the most, but rather a person who completely inspired me. He is a young man by the name of Lucky Erasmus who is a student at the Nelson R. Mandela High School in Gugulethu. I was amazed at his entrepreneurial spirit and awareness of what technology could bring to his life. It was brought to my attention that Lucky offered his services free of charge in the set-up of the learning lab, serving as a key and valuable asset to the team. This incredible contribution was from a young man who has had no training in technology! I also learned that Lucky has recently used his life savings to buy his first PC.

I believe Lucky is representative of many people in high-growth markets. On arriving in Gugulethu, I expected to find a community that was naïve about technology, but rather I experienced a community that has recognized for a long time the benefits that technology can bring to their lives and now it's a reality for them. Lucky and his community have set a great benchmark for me in my perception of people in high-growth markets; these people are clearly motivated and determined to succeed and they understand how technology and Internet access can empower them to achieve their goals.