Tech Industry Diversity Improving, But More Can Be Done, FCC Commissioner Clyburn Says of CES Visit

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn's visit last week to CES led her to conclude that diversity in the tech world is improving, but more needs to be done, she said Tuesday in a blog post. “As I tried to cover the more than 2.2 million net square feet of exhibit space, I could not help but notice that there seemed to be more people of color on the floor and presenting at the exhibits than in prior years,” she said. “While notable, there is clearly more that can and should be done.” Clyburn cited reports that African-American women in the tech industry receive less than 1 percent of venture capital funds available each year. The wireless everywhere world in display at CES also points to the need for the FCC to restructure its voice-only Lifeline adoption program to also support broadband, she said. “News flash: The technology to enable the ‘Internet of Everything’ is not two or three years away,” Clyburn wrote. “It is here today, but as regulators, we must never forget that all consumers must have access to broadband in order for that [sic] virtuous reality exists when everyone benefits.”