Over the past year, technology has powered the vaccine rollout, built a more sustainable future, expanded broadband access, helped small businesses and startups grow, strengthened American competitiveness, improved access to quality care, invested in the U.S. workforce, and aided those in need. In this week’s Tech At Work, see a few of the many examples of how tech has worked to improve our lives and make our communities and economy stronger in 2021.

How Tech Powered the Vaccine Rollout

Uber Partnered with the Federal Government to Offer Free Rides to COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Uber partnered with the White House to make it easier for Americans to get a COVID-19 vaccine.  Uber provided free rides to and from more than 80,000 federally-designated vaccination sites across the country.  Riders used Uber’s app to select a vaccination site near them and schedule a ride to and from their appointment.

OpenTable Enlisted CLEAR to Verify Vaccination Status at Restaurants

CLEAR worked with OpenTable to allow patrons to easily show proof of vaccination at restaurants across the country.  Through the CLEAR mobile app, diners showed their vaccination status to gain access to hundreds of restaurants.  By using the CLEAR app, diners easily adjusted to new safety protocols and sped up entry and seating at their favorite restaurants.

Amyris Removed Barriers in the Vaccine Manufacturing Process

The CDC Teamed with Oracle to Manage the COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Tech Companies Offered the Biden Administration Help with Vaccine Distribution

How Tech is Building a More Sustainable Future

Toyota Invests $3.4 Billion into Electrified Future

Toyota announced it will invest approximately $3.4 billion in automotive batteries in the U.S. through 2030. The investment will go toward developing and localizing automotive battery production, including batteries for electric vehicles. Toyota also announced a $461 million investment in its Kentucky plant that will add 1,400 jobs and help the company reach its carbon neutrality goals.

Honeywell Developing First-of-its-Kind Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Honeywell is supporting the growth of a zero-carbon economy in the aviation industry. Honeywell has partnered with United Airlines to invest in a company that produces first-of-its-kind technologies for existing refineries to convert to produce sustainable aviation fuel production at scale. Honeywell’s goal is to generate carbon-negative fuel at spec with today’s jet fuel. Honeywell expects this product to be available by 2025.

Cisco Commits $100 Million to Fight Climate Change

The Cisco Foundation is investing $100 million over the next decade to fund projects that reduce carbon emissions and increase community awareness.

HPE Selected to Build New Supercomputer for the U.S. Department of Energy

Bloom Energy Brings Fuel Cell Technology to Residential Communities

ecoATM Raises $75 Million to Drive Sustainability and Smartphone Access

Turo Offsetting 100 Percent of the Carbon Used on All Trips

NI’s Buildings will be Zero Waste by 2030

How Tech is Investing in Skills Training and Workforce Development

Google is Investing in America

Google is investing over $7 billion in offices and data centers across the U.S., and will create at least 10,000 new full-time jobs in multiple states this year. This will help bring more jobs and investment to diverse communities across the U.S. Google also launched a free digital skills training platform to help job seekers and entrepreneurs impacted by the pandemic.

GM Relaunches its Technical Learning University

As a part of GM’s commitment to upskilling its workforce and ensuring it continues to produce innovative technologies, the company relaunched its Technical Learning University. The new training center is focused on ensuring GM’s workforce has the tools needed to succeed and shape the future of the innovation economy.

Accenture Spends $1 Billion on Reskilling Employees

Accenture is committed to reskilling its workforce through professional development. The company is investing $1 billion a year to unlock opportunities for employees and clients.

Aurora Partners with Women Back to Work Initiative

Intuit Provides Educators and Students with Free Access to QuickBooks and Other Services

Coursera Launched LevelSets to Help Learners Develop Critical Skills Faster

How Tech is Helping Small Businesses

DoorDash is Helping Small Businesses

DoorDash introduced its Main Street Strong Accelerator program, a commitment to invest $200 million into local communities. DoorDash partnered with 100 small restaurants to kick off the Accelerator program and gave each restaurant a $20,000 grant.

HireVue is Helping Small Businesses Find Qualified Applicants More Efficiently

Through the use of chat and text features, HireVue has helped businesses find the talent they need to succeed and grow. HireVue has specifically helped the hospitality industry, where they have helped place thousands of candidates across the country.

eBay is Helping Small Businesses Access Opportunity and Start and Grow Their Business Online

Visa is Digitally-Enabling Millions of Small and Micro Businesses

How Tech is Strengthening American Competitiveness

Apple Investing in the U.S. Workforce, Manufacturing, and R&D

Apple plans to invest $430 billion and create 20,000 new jobs over the next five years. The investment supports American innovation and is driving economic benefits in every state. This includes tens of billions of dollars for next-generation silicon development and 5G innovation across nine U.S. states.

Amazon Plans to Buy Over $120 Billion of Supplies and Services from Businesses in the U.S

Amazon plans to spend over $120 billion on supplies and services from businesses in the U.S. this year. The purchases are from more than 200,000 companies that operate in communities across the country that help keep Amazon running — from electric vehicle manufacturers, to cardboard box producers, to construction and engineering firms. The 2021 spending represents an increase of 20 percent year-over-year.

FWD.us Report Found Granting Citizenship to DACA Recipients Would Strengthen our Economy and Country

Salesforce Economy Will Create 9.3 Million Jobs and $1.6 Trillion in New Business Revenue by 2026

How Tech is Powering Digital Transformation and Strengthening Cybersecurity

Sprinklr Identifies Digital Trends for the Government to Embrace

Citizens are demanding greater responsiveness from their government. As a result, government agencies are using new technologies and trends to increase the citizen experience. Sprinklr identified trends that can be more widely embraced by government agencies, such as getting creative with collecting customer feedback, applying feedback to managing risks, realizing the importance of data visualization, and using AI to improve response times.

Box Announces New Capabilities to Combat Ransomware

Box announced new capabilities for Box Shield, the company’s flagship security control and intelligent threat detection solution, to help customers reduce the risk of ransomware by scanning files in near real-time as they are uploaded to Box. The new capabilities leverage deep learning technology and external threat intelligence to analyze files and stop sophisticated malware before it causes business disruption.

Onfido Believes AI is a Crucial Tool in the Fight Against Fraud

John Chambers, Founder and CEO of JC2 Ventures, Provides Perspective on Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies

Deloitte Provides Guidance to Help Organizations Fuel Digital Transformations

VMware’s Seven Cybersecurity Predictions for 2022

How Tech is Improving Access to Quality Care

Zoom Makes it Easy for Patients and Providers to Connect Virtually

Zoom now allows patients to join telehealth appointments in a secure setting without the need to download the Zoom app. Zoom commissioned a study showing that 72 percent of U.S. patients, if given the choice, would prefer to access healthcare through a combination of in-person and virtual appointments. Zoom provides patients greater access to telehealth services and plans to continue innovating to improve the patient-physician virtual experience.

CDW Helps Make Clinical Communication Collaboration Technologies More Efficient

CDW is making it easier for clinicians to communicate with patients, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes. CDW’s solutions allow for the quick exchange of information between clinicians, which helps them spend more time with patients and increases the speed of care. CDW’s technology combines the multiple tools and applications clinicians previously accessed into one platform that improves efficiencies of healthcare workers.

Teladoc Health Creates a Unified Practice Experience for Clinicians

hims Launches Online Therapy Sessions

How Tech is Helping Startups

Carta Released Free Carta Launch Platform to Help Early-Stage Founders

Carta Launch was designed to help founders spend more time building their companies and celebrating their milestones — and less time worrying about whether they are fundraising or managing equity the right way. The platform uses scenario modeling features to help founders make informed fundraising decisions, automate financing options, and save time. Launch companies have raised over $6.2 billion on Carta to date.

Silicon Valley Bank Explains How Startup Accelerators Work

A startup accelerator is a mentor-based program that provides guidance, support, and limited funding to new companies in exchange for equity. Silicon Valley Bank shared tips and insights into what accelerators look for in a startup and how entrepreneurs can best utilize this option to grow their business.

Accel’s Secrets to Scaling Series Highlights Hypergrowth Challenges and Advice for Entrepreneurs

Revolution Hosted Virtual Tech Talent Tour, Steve Case Discussed the Future of Work

Kleiner Perkins’ Podcast Discussed What it Takes to be an Effective CEO at a Growing Company

Nasdaq: How Mentorships Can Transform Startups’ Abilities to Start and Grow Their Businesses

How Tech is Expanding Broadband Access

AT&T Makes $2 Billion, 3-Year Commitment to Help Bridge the Digital Divide

AT&T committed $2 billion to close the digital divide and bring affordability, educational resources, and economic opportunity to millions of Americans who don’t have access to the internet.

Verizon Commits $3 Billion to Close the Digital Divide and Other Impactful Initiatives

As part of the Citizen Verizon initiative, the company has committed $3 billion to help close the digital divide, reduce emissions and become carbon neutral, help small businesses, and prepare individuals for jobs of the future.

Comcast Commits $1 Billion to Help Close the Digital Divide and Increase U.S. Connectivity

Facebook Pilot Program Allows Residents in Appalachian Ohio to Stay Connected

How Tech is Making Roads Safer, Cleaner, and More Accessible

Waymo’s Simulation System Expands Autonomous Vehicle Usage

Waymo’s new software solution is aimed at synthesizing the entire autonomous journey. The software automatically records trips to assess the Waymo driver’s performance. By using the software, Waymo can safely bring up new vehicle platforms, test them in new locations, and improve their operations. This allows the company to bring its technology to more people in more places.

Argo AI Partners with Ford and Walmart to Launch Autonomous Vehicle Delivery Service in Three U.S. Cities

Argo AI is working with Ford and Walmart to launch an autonomous vehicle delivery service in three U.S. cities: Miami, Austin, and Washington, D.C. The service will expand over time with initial integration testing beginning later this year. The collaboration showcases how autonomous technology can enhance customer experiences while also optimizing logistics and operations for businesses.

Zoox’s Safety Report Highlighted More Than 100 Safety Innovations

Cruise Launched Self-Driving Deliveries in Arizona

Motional is Designing an Intuitive Driverless Robotaxi Experience

Getaround Announced New Program to Incentivize Entrepreneurs

Wejo Studio Enables Access to Connected Vehicle Data Anytime, Anywhere

ChargePoint Helping Bring Electric Vehicle Infrastructure to Rural Communities

How Tech is Helping Those in Need

Gopuff Supports Young People Facing Homelessness Across the U.S.

Gopuff donated $40,000 in Gopuff credits to Covenant House programs across the U.S., providing essential items to young people facing homelessness. Gopuff also donated personal care essentials to Covenant House residents, including toiletries, hygiene products, and more.

Dell Donates Computers to Students Impacted by the Digital Divide

Dell’s “Trade in and Give” charitable initiative is helping students impacted by the digital divide. For every eligible computer Dell received to be refurbished or reused in November, the company donated a device to a student in need.

NerdWallet Shares Ways to Protect Personal Finances When Facing Structural Damage from a National Disaster

How Tech is Helping Increase Diversity and Inclusion

HP Inc. Commits to Accelerate Digital Equity for 150 Million People by 2030

HP launched HP PATH (Partnership and Technology for Humanity), a program to create digital equity for underserved communities around the world focusing on education and economic opportunities. HP’s work focuses on increasing access to hardware, connectivity, quality content, and digital literacy for communities that are most likely to experience the digital divide: women and girls; people with disabilities; communities of color; and educators and practitioners.

Credit Karma Paves the Way for a More Equitable Financial Future for All

Credit Karma implemented a new compensation structure to eliminate pay disparity in the workplace. They conduct a quarterly pay equity analysis to ensure employee compensation is fair and equitable.

In Good Company: Inspiration from the Women of Shipt

Grubhub Distributed $2 Million in Grants to Help LGBT Restaurant Owners Recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Instacart Invested $1 Million to Help Black-Owned Brands Connect with Consumers in Grocery Stores

SmileDirectClub Providing Affordable Teeth Straightening to Underserved Communities

PayPal Investing in Black-owned Small Businesses

What’s New in Tech

CLEAR and Uber Partner to Make Holiday Travel Easier

CLEAR and Uber have partnered to make getting to the airport easier this holiday season. CLEAR’s new in-app “Home to Gate” feature analyzes everything from traffic data to security screening to the amount of time it takes to walk to your terminal. The app helps inform users when they need to leave home so they don’t miss their flight. Travelers are then able to reserve an Uber ride to the airport with the press of a button.

What We’re Saying

TechNet Statement on the Senate Passage of NDAA

TechNet Welcomes Three New Members, Adds 21 Members in 2021

ICYMI

New TechNet Report Shows High-Skilled Immigration Strengthens the American Economy

Before You Start Your Weekend

At a young age, robotics changed Jay’s life. Now, with the help of Grubhub’s Driver Grant program, she’s paying it forward by teaching robotics to teens from marginalized communities.