Intel's Craig Barrett speaks

SLAGGING OFF THE US government's policies on healthcare and education, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett used his opening keynote at the company's Developer Forum today to wax lyrical about the importance of technological innovation for the state of humanity. Hearts bled.

Somewhat lacking in any kind of clear direction, however, Barrett rambled on for about an hour, touching only very briefly on anything remotely Intel and spending most of his time patting his slightly uncomfortable, awkward looking developer guests on the back for their contributions to all things tech health/education/third world.

Perhaps the seemingly off the cuff keynote meant Barrett had somewhat lost interest in what his company was doing and was now only interested in securing his legacy. Or perhaps it was just the jet lag; after all, as mentioned several times during the hour, Barrett does manage to jet set his way around 30 plus countries a year, spreading the Intel gospel.

"Technology is a tool to address some of the world's most pressing challenges related to health care, education, economic development and the environment," said Barrett, laying the clichés on thick.

Barrett, who also chairs a United Nations initiative on technology in the developing world, added, "no nations or individuals are untouched by these issues. Get involved. Be part of the solution."

Taking aim at the present US administration, Barrett, saying it would be his only political statement of the day – something he didn't quite manage to stick to – noted with contempt that "this country doesn't focus enough on education" or realise how important it was to invest in R&D. "Education is the key", he repeated like a broken record, adding "Nations are only as strong as their education system."

Noting that if he could put just one good tool in a classroom, it would be, not a computer, but a teacher, Barrett went on to disparage the US education system, particularly slamming maths and science teachers in the country.

"Technology is a good tool, but no substitute for good teachers," he emphasised.

Then, demonstrating a rather amusing lack of faith in US healthcare, and after a health ID card demonstration whereby the Intel chairman actually lay on the floor, tended to by a grinning Colombian physician, Barrett revealed that his actual personal physician was based in India.

He continued to lament the fact the Third world was actually coming up with better health care fixes than the US, but said he was encouraged to see the positive role IT was playing in health care.

"There is such an immense amount of technology that can do such an immense amount of good around the world," said Barrett just before announcing that Intel would award four $100,000 prizes to the most innovative ideas for applying technology to unmet educational, health care, economic development and environmental needs.

Ears pricked up and the room sat up straight until Barrett noted that, of course, the money would go towards the development of the idea, and not actually to the inventor's personal bank account. Shoulders slumped, audible sighs were heard. But Barrett was undeterred and ended his keynote on the optimistic note that "We collectively have the ability to do a great deal of great small deeds."

We think that's just great. µ