Blockchain, Robotics & Global Challenges
In the Intelligence Squared Podcast Jonathan Sachs made a terrific statement about the value of being hopeful. Hopeful in the sense of believing that everything will work out - provided that we act together towards a goal. I am hopeful. Especially when it comes to solving the world's big challenges. And I will share with you why.
The problems we face are big, but not unsolvable. In my network and daily feed of researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators, I keep seeing small and big innovations that solve parts of those challenges with the help of AI, VR/AR, 3D printing and Blockchain. Creativity leveraged with digital tech within various field, such as climate, energy, health tech, food, creativity and communication.
Drones save Forests
Innovation in drone technology replants forests and enhances capacity. Photo: Jason Blackeye / Unsplash
Drone technology is based on AI, robotics, IOT. The Canadian startup Flash Forest's for instance, uses drone technology to replant huge areas after wildfires and illegal deforestation. The tree planting drones, will manage to restore a diverse forest habitat with different seeds, seed pods and moist. The capacity and efficiency compared to human labor is astonishing, up to 100.000 trees per day. Tech demonetised the costs, down to 50 cent per tree, making it highly profitable. It points to the future of the forest industry. The drones uses AI/robotics vision and machine learning for solutions that survey the area, plant it, then return regularly to monitor and decide on measures. Here AI/robotics drone tech is combined with good purpose and for-profit. The result is promising from a circular view, it helps restore forests that serve as the lungs of the world. But also from a business perspective, showing a path towards a highly profitable forest business with a circular business model. This example of how entrepreneurs develop profitable businesses that solve our problems, small and large, is accompanied by several others.
Blockchain Values Plastic Waste
Innovation happens as a result of a good question, sometimes with the help of Blockchain. The entrepreneurs behind Plastic Bank wondered why oil is regarded as an asset, whereas its result, plastic, is considered a problem after use. They understood that there was a piece of the circle missing, the recycling bit. With the use of Bloch-chain, they developed a platforms where waste collectors register and via an app, indicate the weight and place of the plastic collected. And, once the waste has been collected, receive tokens used to by electricity, food and other necessities to support their families. The plastic waste washed ashore is not only collected but also reused but paid as a recourse by clients. The tokens used to empower the poorest of the poor.
A day’s work valued by Plastic Bank and Blockchain tech. Photo Brian Yurasits/Unsplash
Creators become Publishers
Another challenge comes from the world of creators, producers and directors. Controlling your IP is difficult, and when streamed on the big content platforms creators receive a fraction of the price paid by users. Making a living is hard. This in spite of the fact that many of us users are willing to pay well for relevant content. That is, as long as the transaction is easy and safe. An interesting business is created by the team behind Eluvio, a platform where long content is streamed directly from the creators to the viewers. They have combined media with metadata, blockchain ledger and smart contracts to eliminate the middleman and make sure creators receive the full value transferred by the user.
The democratisation of creating, producing and showing content is important for us as humanity. Digital transformation reinstates human creativity as a core value. We need to make sure that films, music, art, games, stories and craft flow freely and are rewarded. That creator scontinue to inspire us, that they dream up a future that we in turn are challenged to innovate with transformative tech.
Author: Margareta Steinsvik