Intel Corporation has announced a $300 million initiative aimed at boosting workforce diversity at the company and in the technology and gaming industries.
Through its Diversity in Technology initiative, Intel will work to build a more robust pipeline of female and minority engineers and computer scientists; actively support the hiring and retention of more women and minorities; and fund efforts to increase the number of positive representations of these groups within the technology and gaming industries. To that end, the chip maker will collaborate with education programs focused on underserved neighborhoods and communities as well as computer science and engineering programs at higher education institutions, including historically black colleges and universities.
In terms of its own workforce, Intel has set hiring and retention goals for women and underrepresented minorities — including more balanced representation of both groups in senior leadership positions by 2020. If successful, the effort would increase the number of women and minorities at Intel by at least 14 percent, and of African Americans by 48 percent, the New York Times reports. The company’s partners in that effort include the eSports League, the National Center for Women in Technology, the CyberSmile Foundation, Feminist Frequency, and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. In addition, the company will partner with the International Game Developers Association to establish and support a professional women’s gaming team.
“Our goal with Intel technology is to help solve real problems and enable experiences that are truly desired by people and businesses,” said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. “In order to do this, we must also do more to lead the growth of diversity and inclusion within the technology industry. Women and underrepresented minorities will continue to play a greater role as consumers, influencers, creators, and leaders.”