Google is tapping into the experience and innovative mindset of Zimbabwean electrical engineer, James Manyika after appointing him to lead its tech and society department.
Manyika, who spent nearly 30 years with global business and corporate advisory firm, McKinsey, and has been based in Silicon Valley for 20 years, joins Google at a time when there is growing global scrutiny of ethics of big tech companies.
"James brings deep experience and insights on innovation and the interplay of technology with our societies, our economies, and our planet," said Kent Walker, the head of global affairs at Google
Manyika will report to Sundar Pichai, the head of Google and its parent company, Alphabet.
Technology market analysts said Google had appointed Manyika to the important post as "Technology is moving into the metaverse environment" with 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI) set to take "augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, automotive, medicare, digital ethics & privacy, and Data Science to a new" levels.
Pichai said, “I’m thrilled that James Manyika will be joining Google’s leadership team. He’s spent decades working at the intersection of technology and society and has advised a number of businesses, academic institutions and governments along the way.”.
Big tech companies have become integral to society, the environment and bigger players in the global economy.
The way tech companies such as Google interface with society and environment has become contentious, posing significant sustainability challenges.
It is expected that appointments like that of Manyika will help to address these issues.
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