MIT Technology Review today named Xerox researcher Saurabh Srivastava to its annual list of Innovators Under 35.
A researcher at Xerox Research Center of India, Srivastava was recognized as a humanitarian in the field of software. His work is focused on solving real world problems in areas such as literacy, employment, healthcare and bridging the digital divide by designing interactive systems that can be used by people who are low-literate.
“Having spent all my life in the developing world, I have been surrounded by people who are marginalized and underserved,” said Srivastava. “I see the huge potential technology can play to enhance the lives of this population that is less-literate or less-digital. Compassion drives me to design and innovate taking into account the unique needs and culture of the underserved so, for example, a farmer can increase their yield or a pregnant woman can get better healthcare.”
“Over the years, we’ve had success in choosing young innovators whose work has been profoundly influential on the direction of human affairs,” says editor in chief and publisher Jason Pontin. “Previous winners include Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the cofounders of Google; Mark Zuckerberg, the cofounder of Facebook; and Jonathan Ive, the chief designer of Apple. We’re proud of our selections and the variety of achievements they celebrate, and we’re proud to add Srivastava from Xerox to this prestigious list.”
This year’s honorees will be featured online at www.technologyreview.com starting today, and in the September/October print magazine, which hits newsstands worldwide on September 1. They will appear in person at the upcoming EmTech MIT conference November 2–4 in Cambridge, Massachusetts (www.EmTechMIT.com).