Microsoft CEO for global rules on data safety, privacy

Hyderabad: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday said he was looking forward to a world where there will be rules and regulations for privacy and data safety like food safety laws and drug safety laws

He said he hopes for global rules on the safety and privacy of data that would make sure that tech products and services are safe to use in a virtual interactive session with Telangana's Information Technology and Industry Minister K. T. Rama Rao during Bio Asia 2021.

Pointing out that there are regulations all over the world for privacy, he said Europe was first to come out with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Stating that technology is becoming pervasive in people's lives, society and economy, he underlined the need for companies building tech platforms and tools to ensure privacy of the user.

Replying to another question by the minister, Nadella noted that the pandemic has, across the board, accelerated digital transformation. He said the transformation also helped with clinical data for drug discovery.

He pointed out how the pandemic and digital response transformed outpatient visit to a hospital, brought workflow innovation around patients and their families, reducing burden on frontline workers, and giving better tools for physicians so that they can spend more time with the patients.

"I am looking forward to come out of pandemic as a society which is better at handling the next tail event, because we can't predict what the next tail event is," he added.

On new way of working from home, the Microsoft CEO said it will bring more flexibility in terms of time and worksites.

"I think collaboration, learning and well being are fundamentally the things that are going to transform how we think about work while giving people more flexibility," he said.

(From IANS with edits)