16 new ideas using frontier tech to solve global challenges
An exciting update from the Frontier Tech Hub
Have you ever wondered how technology might be used to prevent wildfires, protect biodiversity, surface clandestine graves, or improve teacher development?
These are just some of the questions being asked by our latest cohort of FCDO Pioneers.
Earlier this year, the Frontier Tech Hub held its 9th call for applications. For 8 years, this programme has enabled pioneering FCDO staff to test the potential of frontier technologies to solve critical global challenges whilst generating evidence about what works.
The Frontier Tech Hub team received applications from prospective pioneers in 29 countries, each hoping to join the community of more than 90 FCDO staff who have championed their own pilot projects since 2016.
After a competitive ‘dragon's den’ process, we are pleased to announce the 16 successful applications and the diverse ideas they will make a reality, alongside local implementing partners and the Frontier Tech Hub team, over the coming 12-18 months 🚀
Here is the list of pilots in full:
Evidence for accountability: Remote sensing to protect the environment from harms (Pioneer: Issam Mosaddeq. Location: Bangladesh)
Found: Testing technologies to locate clandestine graves (Pioneer: Mariela Garfias. Location: Mexico)
Stop the spread: Using drones and nano-bio gel to prevent wildfires (Pioneer: Gabriela Figueiredo. Location: Brazil)
Data for matchmaking: Connecting start-ups and funders (Pioneer: Daniel Wilcox. Location: Kenya)
SWaDE: Satellite-based water demand estimation (Pioneer: Nina Hissen. Location: Ethiopia)
Teaching the future: Personalized learning technology for teacher professional development (Pioneer: Arianna Zanolini, Alice Ching'oma. Location: Malawi)
Building consumer confidence in water for a future with less plastic (Pioneer: James Godber. Location: India)
Bamboo and straw: Building the sustainable house of the future (Pioneer: Undala Alam. Location: UK/Global)
Protecting forests: Using open data and tools to trace harmful commodities (Pioneer: Mandar Trivedi. Location: Global/TBC)
AI-enhanced gender-based violence reporting and response (Pioneer: Singalilwe Chilemba, Alan Msosa. Location: Malawi)
Using treated banana-fibre paper to protect white yam crops (Pioneer: Ezekiel Hayford, Tristan Eagling. Location: Ghana)
Monitoring biodiversity with frontier sensing technologies (Pioneers: Emmy Chirchir, Robina Abuya. Location: Kenya and Uganda)
AI legal assistant: Accelerating access to justice (Pioneer: Benson Linje. Location: Malawi)
AI vs conflict misinformation and hate speech in Sub-Saharan Africa (Pioneer: Susanna House, Annabel Kirkham. Location: Sudan)
Predicting threats to human rights with AI (Pioneer: Faye Minshall, Frances Godfrey, Harri Lee. Location: Global/TBC)
AI learning partner: Supporting professional development with AI (Pioneer: William Tierney. Location: UK)
Do you want to follow along as these pilots carry out real-world experimentation?
Here are three easy ways to hear inspiring stories and insights from your colleagues on the Frontier Tech Hub:
👥 Join the Frontier Tech Hub Network to receive monthly thematic newsletters and invitations to our event series to hear from Pioneers and partners about their work.
🌐 Follow the Frontier Tech Hub on LinkedIn, where we share weekly updates and stories from pilots on the ground.
🔗 Join the VivaEngage Innovation Community to hear directly from your FCDO colleagues who are pioneering their own ideas for impact (internal FCDO users only).
