Natalia Olson Explains the Need for Innovation

The Futurist

In this episode of the GX Podcast and Video Series, host Ian Khan sits down with Natalia Olson-Urtecho, an accomplished entrepreneur, urban planner, and government advisor, at the World Government Summit 2023 in Dubai. Natalia shares her global perspective on innovation, technology, and the critical role governments play in building sustainable, entrepreneurial ecosystems. As a leader at Plug and Play Tech Center, she’s helping governments worldwide implement smart policies that encourage innovation, economic growth, and tech-for-good initiatives.
Natalia discusses her experience working in the Obama administration, empowering small businesses, and her journey to now leading the global government division at Plug and Play. With operations in over 50 locations and 35 unicorns incubated, she provides valuable insight into what it takes to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem, especially in emerging markets like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
From smart cities to digital transformation, Natalia emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, education, and risk-taking investors. She highlights the Middle East’s rising innovation landscape, including the UAE’s strategic role in driving global sustainability goals and its increasing reputation as a tech-forward hub for startups and investment.
A key theme throughout the conversation is “tech for peace”—how innovation can reduce global conflict, increase transparency, and drive social impact. Natalia passionately advocates for involving citizens in the innovation process and eliminating the friction between people and technology to create truly inclusive, meaningful progress.
Watch the full interview to gain deep insights into how government, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect in shaping the future of societies. Learn how Natalia and Plug and Play are working with governments globally to scale real solutions to real problems.
Watch all seasons of the GX podcast at www.GX.ae
About GX
The GX Podcast is produced with the support of the Emirates Government Service Excellence Program (EGSEP). Hosted by Futurist Ian Khan, the podcast and video series is the only such series covering the government experience domain.
About Ian Khan
Ian Khan, the host of the GX Podcast & Video series, is a world-renowned technology futurist, author of Metaverse for Dummies, Technology Filmmaker, and creator of the Future Readiness Score. More at www.iankhan.com
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Ian Khan is a globally recognised emerging tech leadership expert. A practising Futurist, Creator of the Future Readiness Leaders Circle, Multiple times author including "Metaverse for Dummies", Filmmaker and Storyteller on PrimeVideo and Emirates Airlines, one of the worlds largest airlines with 10 Million passengers per year. Ian's ground breaking work has been featured on CNN, the BBC, Fox, Bloomberg, Wharton Daily, ArabNews, RT, CoinBase, Korea Times, Spanish Daily Expansión, Ian hosts the worlds largest Future Readiness leadership networks, bringing together high performance entrepreneurs and leaders on a common mission to build future ready and undisputable businesses. Khan's new book is titled "Undisruptable" and is scheduled to release in early 2024.
Visit Ian at www.IanKhan.com