Global domination is something that every self-respecting internet entrepreneur thinks about regularly. We certainly spend countless hours convincing investors that it is merely a step away. So given the opportunity to rule the world for sure, saying yes was a no-brainer.
Without a doubt my first initiative would be to ensure that everyone had access to the internet and the skills to be able to use it. Imagine if every citizen in every country was connected. The mind boggles at the creativity that could be unleashed; the incredible empowerment for people who had felt isolated before. I am convinced it is one of the best weapons against inequality we have and it would be an extraordinary and inspiring way to help millions more people manage the complex or challenging situations they may be in.
It would not be easy and would require a three-pronged attack: investment in infrastructure so that a superfast internet connection is available to all through whatever device they would like; a massive push to explain the benefits of being online; and finally a change in the education system so that children are encouraged to develop technology skills as much as they are to learn a foreign language.
Imagine how it would change global dynamics if every single Chinese or Indian or Sudanese citizen could have the same access to information or entertainment or education as their historically richer peers. Already, amazing apps and websites are coming out of countries with very little traditional web infrastructure—whether it is farmers in Kenya who are using mobile apps to get prices for their livestock, or Brazilian street children selling clothing.
I would want us to be the most connected planet in the universe—one that others look at and envy. Lonely aliens from distant galaxies would talk of Earth in hushed tones as they described how we communicate and how every human enjoys the wonders of the global network.
Secondly, I would try to orchestrate the biggest shift in gender balance in history. I would want women to be represented fairly in every organisation in society—in business, the media, sport and politics. There is still an enormous battle to be fought in making sure that women are supported and empowered all over the world. We cannot wait any longer. I would force the issue by providing incentives to change and if that failed I would mandate quotas. I am a privileged woman in a rich country and yet I work in a technology sector that was 30 per cent female ten years ago and is now 18 per cent. At the other end of the spectrum women perform 66 per cent of the world’s work, produce 50 per cent of the food, but earn 10 per cent of the income and own one per cent of the property.
I am sure there would be some spectacular resistance, some terrible fighting and some unbelievable dissent. Bring it on. I want the difficult and complex problems to be approached from a new perspective. How do we educate and care for our children? Why do only some people start businesses? Why are there far fewer female scientists? It is already clear that creating more equality in the lowest income countries has led to economic growth. Consider the incredible things that could happen if we unlocked more of the brains in our population.
Finally, having engineered this hyper-connected, gender-balanced world I would encourage a song. I would try to embed belting your heart out into much more of daily life. We know it makes you feel better and breaks down barriers—and heaven knows after attempting my first two ambitions, we will all need to let off some steam.
