Technology is accelerating America’s progress. It enhances our daily lives, empowers our workforce, bolsters our economy, and much more. Here are just a few highlights of the technology industry’s impact in 2024.
How Tech is Strengthening the American Workforce and Talent Pipeline
Amazon Web Services partnered with Silicon Valley High School to launch AI-driven learning tools to provide personalized education experiences through secure cloud infrastructure and generative AI platforms.
Accel released season two of its podcast highlighting technology shaping the world so viewers can understand the challenges and opportunities in building a company.
Indeed partnered with a seasoned career coach to share tips and tricks to help job searchers stand out and get hired.
Cisco created opportunities for Los Angeles residents through new and existing social impact programs, including the Cisco Networking Academy, which provides networking and network security training and educational courses to more than 20 million students worldwide.
HP partnered with the YMCA to help all people of all backgrounds gain access to vital digital skills and knowledge to build a more inclusive society and economy.
TSMC Arizona is expanding its Registered Semiconductor Technician Apprenticeship program, paving new pathways into the semiconductor industry.
Taskrabbit for Good joined with San Francisco-based organization Code Tenderloin to hold four job skills workshops over two days, covering customer service, moving assistance, furniture assembly, and mounting.
How Tech is Keeping Our Data Safe and Preventing Cyberattacks
Accenture is delivering AI and quantum computing solutions to help organizations identify and remediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities and ensure data is secure even when hackers break through certain security measures.
Cohere published a comprehensive guide for enterprise security teams on protecting large language model (LLM)-powered applications from malicious actors, focusing on real-world attack scenarios and risk mitigation strategies.
Yahoo News partnered with McAfee to integrate AI-powered deepfake image detection technology to quickly identify and review AI-generated or modified images.
Socure started a consortium to fight financial fraud.
Google launched the Secure AI Framework Risk Assessment, a tool to help organizations assess security risks and implement more secure practices.
How Tech is Helping Students and Educators Succeed
Chegg announced the finalists for its 2024 Global Student Prize, recognizing extraordinary students who are reshaping our world for the better.
Ancestry launched its first genetics lesson as a part of its free resource for teachers, Ancestry Classroom. The lesson, made in collaboration with educators, allows students to explore the connection between genetics and genealogy.
Mastercard hosted 30 middle-school students at its Tech Hub in Manhattan, combining immersive learning about cyber and artificial intelligence and a hands-on session with cybersecurity experts to learn about unconventional threats. Mastercard’s Girls4Tech STEM education program has reached nearly seven million girls across the globe.
Intuit developed Intuit for Education, its free financial literacy program to help students learn valuable skills like building a budget, filing their taxes, and paying for college.
The College Board announced a pilot program that will launch in 2025 for hundreds of high schools to test its cybersecurity frameworks through two new courses focused on networking and cybersecurity fundamentals.
Snapchat released new tools and resources for educators working with teens to help teachers keep these students safe online.
How Tech is Developing and Deploying AI Responsibly
Since August 2024, ElevenLabs has worked with over 50 nonprofit organizations across 46 states and 15 countries to use audio AI to improve accessibility, preserve cultural content, and expand education opportunities worldwide.
John Chambers, CEO of JC2 Ventures, appeared on a podcast to unpack the future of AI-driven work and discuss how AI is transforming the workplace.
Meta partnered with Be My Eyes to help low vision and blind users connect with volunteers hands-free, enhancing their ability to navigate tasks and maintain their active, social lifestyle. Watch to learn more.
Pindrop’s co-founder and CEO appeared on the “AI and the Future of Work” podcast to discuss how the startup community is tackling deepfakes and implementing AI for good.
Zoom has unveiled AI Companion 2.0, an enhanced AI personal assistant that helps users streamline their workday across the Zoom platform.
SAP announced new AI-driven capabilities to help retailers optimize business processes and drive profitability and customer loyalty.
Salesforce has launched Agentforce, an innovative platform that utilizes autonomous AI agents to enhance workforce efficiency and customer service.
California is partnering with AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, to help reduce traffic jams, make roads safer, and provide better government services to residents.
Pinterest developed Pinterest Ad Labs, an innovation program for brands to test prototypes of new creative and ad tools, some powered by AI.
Deloitte shared key AI predictions across technology for 2025.
How Tech is Making America More Productive
Box launched an app for the new Apple Vision Pro headset that allows for interactive collaboration between teams from anywhere and new immersive experiences that redefine the way we work.
Carta developed a Compliance & Tax hub to help companies stay on top of tax obligations and reporting requirements.
HireVue’s Find My Fit, which uses science to pinpoint a candidate’s potential, skills, and interests to reveal relevant jobs within a company, was selected as one of the Top HR Products of the Year by Human Resources Executive.
Getaround partnered with the San Jose Mineta International Airport to provide travelers a more seamless and convenient rental car experience.
Coursera launched Course Builder, an AI-assisted tool that auto-generates course content, including outlines, descriptions, and learning objectives, and dramatically reduces the time and cost of content production without sacrificing quality.
Proof collaborated with SimpliGov to allow government agencies to initiate remote online notarization services within the SimpliSign platform.
ZipRecruiter introduced new AI-powered tools to simplify users’ job search.
CLEAR launched six new enrollment locations, making it easier and more convenient for air travelers across the country.
How Tech is Building a More Sustainable Future
Apple provided an update on its efforts to bring its entire carbon footprint to zero net emissions by focusing on recycled and renewable materials, clean electricity, and low-carbon shipping.
The Friedkin Group celebrated Earth Day by highlighting its more than 20-year partnership to help preserve the “wild things and wild places” of Texas.
GM’s latest sustainability report showcased the company’s commitment to building a more equitable zero-emissions future and how it is working toward its carbon-neutral goal.
TechNet co-founder and Kleiner Perkins Chairman John Doerr’s Speed & Scale, an initiative to move leaders to act on the climate crisis, released a progress report on the world’s push toward net zero emissions.
NetApp shared how it is reducing our carbon footprint and optimizing energy use with efficient and sustainable technology.
Samsung is embedding sustainability into its products and innovations.
How Tech is Advancing the Future of Mobility
Uber and Aurora launched Premier Autonomy, an industry-first program to deploy Aurora’s autonomous trucks on the Uber Freight network and make commercial trucking more efficient and equitable.
Nuro is solving complex technical challenges to better enable the safe deployment of driverless vehicles on U.S. roads.
Zoox, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary, expanded its retrofitted test fleet.
Waymo spotlighted what makes their communities of Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles vibrant.
How Tech is Empowering Startups and Entrepreneurs
Nasdaq shared its outlook for startups at the beginning of the year.
Applecart led a breakout session for SaaS leaders at Primary Venture Partners’ “On the Business” Mastery Day, which has helped prepare 500+ female executives to hold C-Suite roles and board seats at high growth startups.
Shopify highlighted how entrepreneurs are making their side-hustles lucrative businesses.
Sequoia Capital shared how YouTube went from a scrappy startup to changing the world.
How Tech is Helping Underrepresented Communities
1-800 Contacts continued its multi-year partnership with Encircle, providing discounted eyewear for LGBTQ+ youth and free eye exams for community members.
DoorDash built on its previous commitments in support of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. In partnership with Brighter Bites, DoorDash is expanding its existing support for initiatives and policies that broaden food access across communities.
Grubhub celebrated its 20th anniversary by announcing a new grant program to help top delivery partners support nonprofits that contribute positively to their communities and an employee giving campaign to nonprofits that help close the hunger gap, create opportunities for people in the hospitality industry, and support independent restaurants.
Instacart partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to healthy foods and reduce illness and health risks for families across the country as part of its Food as Medicine program.
TechNexus Venture Collaborative cohosted a Women’s History Month luncheon to celebrate the visionary women reshaping Chicago’s tech economy.
Shipt now accepts SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments for its marketplace orders. This will increase access to healthy and affordable foods in almost 74 percent of America’s food deserts and to over 86 million Americans living in communities where more than one in ten households receive SNAP EBT benefits.
Revolution interviewed female founders and CEOs about the discourse around women entrepreneurs.
Glamsquad’s Chief Marketing Officer appeared on a panel at ChiefX LA, a local summit hosted by the largest network of senior women executives and designed to inspire growth through conversations and workshops.
How Tech is Making Healthcare More Accessible and Improving Patient Outcomes
Hims & Hers launched a comprehensive and customizable tool to help users reach their individual weight-loss goals.
Wing used its drones to expedite blood sample deliveries between hospitals for high-risk patients.
Teladoc shared how its Prediabetes Prevention Program provides the tools and support to help improve our health and lower the risk of adults getting type 2 diabetes.
Swimply partnered with Plunge to offer access to cold plunge tubs and sauna amenities, broadening accessibility to contrast therapy solutions to consumers nationwide.
Ro launched a free tool to help patients determine whether their insurance will cover a class of weight loss and diabetes medications called GLP-1s.
How Tech is Supporting Small Businesses
Block’s Square released new features that help small businesses succeed.
Comcast is awarding 500 small business owners and entrepreneurs grants to help them with marketing costs, consulting services, and improved technology.
Madrona’s managing director interviewed Rover’s co-founder and CEO to discuss the company’s founding and insights on small business expansion and growth.
Visa relaunched its SavingsEdge program, which helps small businesses grow by providing them with savings, tools, and resources.
eBay’s annual Up & Running Grants Program awarded $500,000 to 50 small businesses across the U.S.
Verizon provided tips to help small business owners reduce financial stress, keep pace with artificial intelligence, and embrace the future of work.
How Tech is Helping Local Communities
Airbnb donated to support local solutions to help drive housing affordability in the U.S. Airbnb has invested over $100 million since 2019 to expand access to homeownership.
Cruise deployed its autonomous vehicles to support the Houston Food Bank’s delivery program to bring 6,000 meals to expecting mothers facing food insecurity across the city.
Dell collaborated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Austin on a new learning center to narrow the digital divide and provide communities with the technology and digital skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.
Etsy partnered with a nonprofit focused on helping artists recover from natural disasters to offer $2,000 disaster relief grants to eligible sellers impacted by federally declared natural disasters.
Lyft activated its Lyft Up Disaster Response program to provide free and discounted rides to those affected by Hurricane Milton so they can access shelters and critical resources.
PayPal supported recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton by donating to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, waiving processing fees for all donations to Volunteer Florida, matching PayPal employee donations, and pausing Working Capital and Business Loan repayments for impacted customers.
How Tech is Keeping Us Safe
Garmin launched the inReach Messenger Plus, a satellite communicator designed to keep users connected even in remote areas without cell service.
LexisNexis used its Accurint product to help the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services recover 47 missing and endangered children.
Zillow introduced a tool to understand the climate risk data on property listings and provide home shoppers with detailed information on flood, wildfire, wind, heat, and air quality risks before purchase.
Scale AI announced Defense Llama, a Large Language Model (LLM) built on Meta’s Llama 3 that is customized and fine-tuned to support American national security missions.
Before You Start the Weekend
ICYMI: AI for America, TechNet’s initiative to educate the public about how AI is being used to improve lives, grow our economy, and keep us safe, released a video to provide viewers with a closer look at how AI is transforming education.
AI for America also launched a video featuring Intuit’s Chief Data Officer, Ashok Srivastava, discussing how small business owners are using AI to help level the playing field, accelerate growth, and focus more on the core aspects of their businesses that matter most to them.
