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President Obama is traveling to South by Southwest today -- the first sitting President to do so. In Austin, he’s going to make the case for people "from all walks of life, working inside or outside of government, to help us make this democracy even stronger."
Coming from the tech industry, I was aware of the ways President Obama, his campaigns, and the White House have used technology to help people embrace the "imperative of citizenship." Tech, it seemed to me, was changing how our government engages with -- and provides services to -- people, and that's exciting.
Giving people a voice, enabling them to be heard, and working with them to solve big problems is the animating principle of President Obama’s campaigns and the core of his presidency. It’s why he sought office and what drives his Administration. It’s how we make change in America.
This is what he’ll be talking about today at South by Southwest -- how Americans can apply our ideas and talents to help the broader public and tackle big challenges in government. You can watch his conversation in Austin at 3:40 p.m. Eastern.
Technology has the power to enhance this work. When it puts users first, it enables Americans to find their voice, for our government to deliver better services, and make our country more just.
The chance to be part of this work -- to build a more user-centered government -- has inspired talented people to serve our country in new ways. The work they’re doing is impactful -- and it’s hard to see how they don’t become permanent features of our government. Indeed, this might be President Obama’s most important accomplishment as the First Tech President: establishing a lasting legacy of service that will carry on long after he leaves office.
Along with the technologists serving in our government, companies from across the tech landscape have embraced this call and pitched in on issues ranging from the Syrian refugee crisis to providing rides to veterans for job interviews, from signing people up for health care to connecting young people with summer jobs.
Take a look at some of the work that’s already been accomplished across the Administration, and stay tuned for more.
Thanks,
Jason
Jason Goldman
Chief Digital Officer
The White House
@Goldman44
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