Why Diversity in Technology Really Matters

Photos by Windows on Unsplash

When I was working as Head of Data Science at an advertising technology company, I experienced firsthand how diversity can drive better business decisions. One of our clients, a top Mexican fast-food takeout chain in the U.S., wanted to promote their late-night meal bundle. Their assumption was straightforward: party-goers heading home after a night out on Friday and Saturday would want a quick bite to eat. They wanted our platform to target mobile phones on the move during late Saturday and Sunday nights.

In the meeting to discuss the campaign, everyone was nodding in agreement. The logic seemed sound, and no one saw any reason to question it. Then, a junior analyst spoke up. He said, "What about the late-night office, warehouse, and security workers getting off their shifts? They often grab something to eat before heading home, and most of them work six nights a week. We could offer them the late-night bundle discount for their evening meal."

His comment shifted the entire conversation. Everyone looked around and said, "Why didn’t I think of that? That’s a great idea."

The reason no one thought of it before was simple: most of the executives and program managers in the room came from similar backgrounds. Their experiences aligned with the initial idea of targeting party-goers. But the junior analyst, who was Latino, brought a different perspective. He likely knew family members or friends who worked late-night shifts in offices, warehouses, or security jobs. His unique background allowed him to see an opportunity that others missed.

This is why diversity in technology matters so much. When teams are made up of individuals with similar experiences, they’re more likely to approach problems with a narrow focus—a kind of tunnel vision. But when diverse voices are included, those voices bring different lenses to the table. Diversity expands the range of perspectives, allowing businesses to uncover solutions and strategies that better serve a wider audience.

In this case, the campaign strategy was improved by considering a group of late-night workers who might otherwise have been overlooked. Diversity in the room allowed us to make smarter decisions. This story is just one example, but it’s a powerful reminder: diverse teams don’t just reflect the world we live in—they help us create better solutions for it.