I was looking for a way to start my new AMD blog and had been discussing ideas with my new team. Maybe I could start with the ‘10 things I have learned since I joined AMD’ or even better, ‘the top things no-one knows about AMD that they should.’ The second one may need some work on the title – but you get the idea. 

Instead I thought I would deal with something that affects us all – our communities and how they are changed by computing. I think of this because of one of the things I have learned about in my first month at AMD – the 50x15 Initiative.

The initiative, launched by AMD in 2004 at the World Economic Forum, aims at providing accessible Internet access and computing solutions for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. This initiative is maybe one of the most pragmatic approaches to using Internet technology to connect and benefit the world I’ve yet seen.

While lots of people are talking about how Internet technology can connect the un-connected, or bridge the digital divide, it’s great to actually be doing something real and practical. The benefits of affordable Internet access are not about giving everyone a free Wi-Fi connection, but about how the global sharing of information can make life better for people who may never have a Wi-Fi connection or a PC to run it on.

As side note, I should point out that Sun, my previous home, was also pretty committed to this and Scott McNealy’s support for Curriki is a great example of something that can also impact areas like education.

Two of the projects I most liked from 50x15 are:

1.    e-Poupatempo

Poupatempo means “Save Time” in São Paulo, Brazil. Poupatempo centers are places where people can go and take care of many needs at once. E-Poupatempo is a virtual version of the state run Poupatempo project, providing e-services to São Paulo's citizens.

To make these services available to a greater number of people, the state government of São Paulo constructed a computer center where people could go to access the same services and information. Last October, through AMD's 50x15 Initiative, AMD, Telefonica and the State Government of São Paolo deployed thin clients to improve communications in the borough of Santo Amaro. The thin clients are connected to an AMD Athlon™ processor-based HP desktop computer that acts as a server to provide the thin clients with printing capabilities.

The response to the AMD powered e-Poupatempo center has been very positive, and with the trained staff available to assist users, even first-time computer users are able to take advantage of the efficiency enabled by e-services.

For more, check out: http://www.50x15.com/en-us/epoupatempo.aspx

2.    Under African skies

On August 4, 2006, thousands celebrated as secondary students in three schools in and around Kampala, Uganda were provided with a new link to the future, courtesy of a the 50x15 initiative.

Led by African Heads of State and the African Union, NEPAD’s e-Schools Programme is aimed at equipping all African schools with ICT tools to ensure African youth graduate with the skills necessary to fully participate in the information society and knowledge economy. The AMD NEPAD consortium includes Agile Learning, Asbis, Cisco, Computainer, I Direct, InterSat Africa, Inveneo, Learnthings, Microsoft, Multichoice Africa, and NewSkies Satellites.

In addition to the consortium, these particular deployments also include involvement by Linux Solutions and BushNet, both Ugandan IT and connectivity companies.

For more, check out: http://www.50x15.com/en-us/sol_results_uganda.aspx

And there are plenty more stories at the 50x15 Web site.

In the end we are all working for companies that are trying to out-innovate the competition and create more revenue and growth and profits, etc.  And others who do a fine job of being "politically and socially responsible."  But there are precious few companies that have really put their time and money into marrying the two.

I think AMD is onto the right balance... trying to grow the business while making the Internet and its benefits both real and affordable to the rest of the world.  That’s a mission in which I am looking forward to being more involved.

Next time something more techie - I promise!

Nigel Dessau is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD's positions, strategies or opinions.