1) How technical is Barack Obama?
Obama has been referred to as a 'technology president' because of his use of IT
throughout the presidential election campaign. He used social networking and
blogging tools to drum up support, including Facebook and Twitter, and was the
first presidential candidate ever to be a member of MySpace.
Obama also used predictive analytic software to analyse and model demographic
and behavioural data to help the Democrats micro-target voters.
Obama says he wants to open up the government by continuing to use
cutting-edge technologies to increase participation.
For example, as president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without
giving the American public a five-day opportunity to leave their comments on the
White House web site.
Under a policy called Google for Government, Obama said he will give
Americans the "right to know how their dollars are spent". A Google-like search
engine will allow people to track federal grants, contracts and loans online to
see how the country's money is spent.
According to the Center of Responsive Politics, over 91 per cent of Silicon
Valley tech firms voted for Obama.
2) Are there parts of the industry that could be sceptical about
Obama becoming president?
The main worry is around his protectionist policy and what this will mean for
offshoring providers.
Obama said that he intends to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship
jobs overseas and start giving them to companies that ship workers overseas.
3) How have offshoring providers reacted to Obama's victory?
So far Indian offshoring providers have welcomed Obama's win. For example,
Infosys chairman NR Narayana Murthy issued a positive statement endorsing
Obama's victory.
"The US has voted for compassionate capitalism over laissez faire capitalism.
Besides, this election has shown that meritocracy matters most. We believe Obama
will be a pragmatic leader who understands that the American industry needs to
be competitive not just in America but in third world countries as well," he
said.
Indian finance minister Palaniappan Chidambaram is also reported to be
optimistic about America's new leader, believing that Obama will work closely
with India.
The optimism is echoed by India's National Association of Software and
Services Companies (Nasscom). "Nasscom congratulates senator Barack Obama and
looks forward to this opportunity of working with the president-elect and his
administration on mutually beneficial policies that will boost the economies in
both nations, enhance bilateral national security matters between India and the
US, and build on the long-standing partnership our two democracies," the
organisation said in a statement.
4) What is Obama's technology policy?
He is pro-network neutrality, arguing that this will encourage start-ups and
innovation. Clean technology is expected to grow; Obama has promised to invest
$150bn (£95bn) over the next 10 years to build a clean energy future.
Obama wants national broadband access to "establish the perfect democracy",
although details on how this can be achieved are vague, such as how will it be
paid for. It is likely to cost a substantial amount just to put in the fibre.
Obama will also be the first president to create the position of a chief
technology officer (CTO).
5) What will this CTO do?
The CTO will establish the national broadband network, securing state computing
systems and creating an electronic medical records system like the one the UK
has been trying to deliver.
Names that have been circulating for the position include Google chief
executive Eric Schmidt, although so far he has side-stepped press queries,
saying that he is busy enough running Google.
Others include HP CTO Shane Robinson, and Julius Genachowski, a former
executive at internet company IAC.
Do you agree?
Have your say on this article