Being inclusive means leaving no one behind

Joanne Lockwood is joined by Dr Jacqui Taylor, a web scientist and IoT innovator, to explore what “leave no one behind” means in practice as technology reshapes society. Jacqui traces her path from aerospace engineering into deep tech and web science, and describes how the internet’s expansion can unlock opportunity when it is designed to be accessible and inclusive.

The conversation looks at how different generations experience the online world, and why inclusion must account for both the connected and the disconnected. They discuss the risks that sit alongside opportunity, including cybercrime, the dark web, deepfakes and misinformation, and what safeguarding can look like during lockdown and beyond. Jacqui shares work focused on supporting young people’s online safety and mental wellbeing, including the idea of a “social guardian” to help navigate online harm.

They also examine the future of work as automation and AI change entry-level roles, arguing for a model where machines handle repetitive tasks while humans bring judgement, context and diverse perspectives. Throughout, Jacqui frames inclusion as a global, community-by-community challenge, referencing advisory work with governments and international bodies and the need for practical digital skills so that progress does not widen inequality. The episode closes with Jacqui sharing free cyber-safety resources and ways for listeners to connect and learn more.