TheCUBE celebrated International Women’s Day at today’s Women in Data Science Worldwide event, where women and allies from across the globe converged to share ideas and insights on inclusivity, data science and sustainability.

The importance of collaboration across borders, genders and ages to achieve global sustainability goals is top of mind for most organizations, according to Radhika Shah (pictured), chair of the innovation advisory group and fellow of the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Stanford University.

“We are looking to build bridges to bring the power of data science and digital innovation to come together and pull in students and solve some of the biggest problems in the world, seeing what we can do collectively to tackle some of the great challenges of our times,” she said.

Shah spoke with theCUBE host Savannah Peterson at the Women in Data Science Worldwide Conference, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed sustainability on a global scale and the transformative potential of digital innovation.

Empowering intersectionality: A catalyst for change

Effectively understanding intersectionality is significant in driving societal progress, according to Shah, who works to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, addressing pressing issues such as climate change, inclusion and gender equality.

“Everything I do right now is driven by doing whatever it takes to achieve the U.N. sustainable development goals,” she said. “These … goals give us a North Star right now for tackling climate change, inclusion and gender equality, making sure we are all connected and that we leave no one behind in our world.”

Shah’s involvement in diverse spheres, from academia to entrepreneurship, reflects a holistic approach to effecting change. As co-president of Stanford Angels and Entrepreneurs, she fosters collaboration to propel technological innovation and societal impact. Similarly, her leadership in the tech and innovation advisory group at the Human Rights and International Justice Center exemplifies a commitment to ethical advancement.

“One [of the hats I wear] is co-president of Stanford Angels and Entrepreneurs, which is a community of about 3,000 alumni students,” Shah said. “We look to advanced tech, innovation and entrepreneurship, and we are also like a family.”

Harnessing digital innovation for inclusive progress, data science and sustainability

Technology plays a pivotal role in fostering inclusive dialogue and decision-making processes, according to Shah. By leveraging participatory platforms and online deliberation tools, individuals can contribute to micro-decisions and engage in constructive discourse, transcending geographical and social barriers.

“This bridge building can make a huge change to bring the power of digital innovation,” Shah said. “What we are looking to do there is to bring the power of technology media markets from our world, from our country to build bridges with the rest of the world in order to collectively create awareness about the sustainable development goals.”

Digital innovation holds the promise of mitigating biases and fostering objective dialogue, as exemplified by initiatives addressing racial disparities in investment ecosystems. However, there are some challenges posed by the digital divide and the need for equitable access to technology, Shah pointed out. Recognizing and addressing disparities in digital literacy and infrastructure, both locally and globally, is important, she added.

“There is no sustainability without inclusion,” Shah said. “The spirit of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals is to leave no one behind. That is inclusion. That is a core tenet on which they’re based.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of the Women in Data Science Worldwide Conference:

Photo: SiliconANGLE