Building a Better World through Tech for Collaboration

Do you use LinkedIn, Facebook, Slack, World of Warcraft, or Clubhouse? These are all online communities, and in 1975 college sophomore Ray Ozzie fell in love with one of their most vibrant ancestors: PLATO. At that time,  the computer-assisted instruction system was blossoming into a full-blown community with chat and multiplayer video games, plus email, discussion groups, and shared documents. 

Since then Ozzie has devoted his life to connecting people with computers and building collaborative tools, from PLATO educational software to the iconic Lotus Notes. In 2006, Ozzie succeeded Bill Gates as Microsoft’s CTO and chief software architect, leading the company to develop the Azure cloud service and helping define the modern digital workplace. He has started several companies to develop innovative forms of collaboration software, including Iris Associates, Groove Networks, Talko, and most recently, Blues Wireless to focus on IoT communications. 

Ray Ozzie’s accomplishments and impact will be honored through storytelling, tributes, and the presentation of the 2021 CHM Fellow Award. Building on personal connections with Ozzie and his work, a dynamic panel of thought leaders will explore issues and implications for today’s world at the intersection of technology, connection, and society.

Watch the Event

Watch the full program here. 

Agenda

5 p.m. PDT
Backstage with Ray Ozzie (By invitation only)
Join a backstage live conversation with Fellow Ray Ozzie and CHM CEO Dan’l Lewin to get the inside scoop on his 40-year journey pioneering cutting-edge technology and building companies. Hear personal stories from close colleagues—software pioneer Dan Bricklin and Microsoft VP of AI and Research Lili Cheng. Experience a private tour of Ozzie’s personal collection of rare computing artifacts and learn what new technologies he is excited about today. Watch Backstage with Ray Ozzie here. 

6 to 7:30 p.m. PDT
Award Ceremony and Program  (Open to all registered guests)
Be inspired by Ray Ozzie’s story and impact as we honor and celebrate his lifetime of work in collaborative software and entrepreneurship with the 2021 CHM Fellow Award. Hear remarks from CHM CEO Dan’l Lewin and Accenture’s CTO Paul Daugherty and personal tributes from tech pioneer Bill Gates and entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Witness computing entrepreneur Mitch Kapor present the award and learn from Ozzie’s personal reflection on becoming a Fellow. 

Explore ripple effects of the work of Ozzie and other innovators with an interactive panel of four thought leaders who will discuss today’s issues of technology for collaboration and connection and its impact on our lives. Journalist Steven Levy, data and society scholar danah boyd, tech media pioneer Esther Dyson, and writer and cultural critic Baratunde Thurston will delve into questions such as: Who are the builders and beneficiaries of today’s tech tools for collaboration and connection? How can they be more inclusive and trustworthy? How can we make choices to ensure that tech will better serve our personal well-being, our work, and society? Watch the Award Ceremony and Program here. 

2021 CHM Fellow Awards

The 2021 CHM Fellow Awards marks the Museum’s first-ever virtual Fellow Awards. CHM will celebrate the 2021 Fellows in a yearlong four-part series of thought-provoking virtual events and engaging digital content that explores the story and impact of each honoree and the present and future of tech for humanity.

Learn more about this year's honorees and the 2021 Fellow Awards.