Beyond the algorithm: Designing technology for trust, safety, and connection
At Ally Skills NZ, we help organisations build inclusive, high-performing cultures by focusing on everyday actions that create trust, belonging, and psychological safety. This talk explores what the technology sector can learn from those same principles.
Drawing on experiences from diversity and inclusion work, digital safety, and child protection, we'll examine how technology can strengthen or undermine human connection. The session challenges the idea that every problem needs a technical solution, instead arguing that trust, safety, and wellbeing are fundamental design principles. The key message: better technology starts with a deeper understanding of people.
Who is this talk for?
This talk will be ideal for tech professionals across engineering, product, design, leadership, people and culture who want to build more inclusive teams, trustworthy products and healthier digital communities.
What will attendees take away?
Trust is a design principle: Safety, inclusion and wellbeing must be considered from the beginning, not added later
Culture shapes technology: Team dynamics, assumptions and power influence what gets built and who benefits
Small actions create change: Attendees will gain practical allyship tools for strengthening belonging, connection and trust in their everyday work.
Vivian Chandra
She/Her/ia
Co-Director @ Ally Skills Aotearoa NZ
Vivian Chandra is a co-director and facilitator with Ally Skills Aotearoa, delivering workshops that help organisations build more inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe workplaces.
With a background spanning technology, education, fundraising, and social impact, she brings a practical, people-centred approach to conversations about allyship, diversity, and creating meaningful change within communities and organisations.