Tech for Good Ten: new NYC tech hub, Clore Fellowship now open, the world's first solar road, a new Centre for Humanitarian Data and more
27th December 2016
Welcome to the Tech For Good Ten, where we share the best 10 links in the Tech For Good world from the past seven days.
We’re aiming to share a wide range of links, meeting the people behind the latest digital innovations, showcasing the greatest tech for good products, looking at the future of social change technology, and exploring the themes and social issues that technology is tackling locally and globally.
Most importantly, we’ll be meeting the people and institutions who are actually using this technology, showing the positive difference it makes in their lives, their communities and the world around them.
We’re also encouraging debate around “What exactly is Tech For Good?” Join the debate in the comments below. We’re here to discuss all things Tech For Good. Got a link to share with the Tech For Good Team? Tweet us at @techfotgoodtv or leave a comment on our Facebook page.
Tech For Good Ten | 27.12.2016
1// New York City set for new tech hub
New York City is set to have a new $250 million technology hub, called 14th @ Irving. Set to be completed as early as 2020, the development will be anchored by Civic Hall, marking a major boost for civic tech in the US.
2// Clore Fellowship open for applications
The prestigious Clore Fellowship brings together some of the most creative and dynamic cultural leaders in the UK and beyond for a life-changing adventure in. The focus is on developing changemakers, including those looking to work with tech for good.
3// France opens world's first solar road
The road is only one kilometre long, but will be tested for two years to help determine whether a full rollout of 1000 kilometres of solar roads in the country is worth pursuing.
4// Centre for Humanitarian Data set to open
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, part of the UN, is establishing a Centre for Humanitarian Data in the Netherlands for an initial three year period, from 2017-2019. The vision is to create a future where all people involved in a humanitarian situation have access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions.
5// SBRI funding competition for tech to improve skin conditions
Organisations - particularly small businesses - can apply for a share of up to £450,000 for innovative technology to improve the diagnosis and management of skin conditions. The deadline is the 11th January.
6// Air Visual: air pollution platform
Air Visual is a crowd-sourced platform offering air-quality monitoring, education, forecasts, new and more to help solve the massive problem of air pollution.
7// TPG Growth to open $2 billion social-impact fund
Bill McGlashan, who oversees TPG Growth — the growth investing platform of the global firm TPG — is reportedly fundraising right now for a $2 billion vehicle called Rise that will seek both financial and social returns. McGlashan has enlisted some high-profile board members to help ensure success.
8// Code for Baltimore to launch in 2017
During conversations and campaigns, and in hackathons and projects, it’s been apparent that Baltimore’s technologists want to improve the community. In 2017, a civic hacking group affiliated with Code for America is starting up to channel that energy toward change.
9// Researchers striving to save Obamacare data
The White House is encouraging researchers to copy government data on Obamacare out of concern that President-elect Donald Trump might hit the delete key when he takes office. Spooked by Trump's rhetoric and pledge to repeal Obamacare, several dozen independent researchers are racing to download key health care data and documents before Jan. 20.
10// Mark Zuckerberg's home-AI video
Finally, if you haven’t seen it yet, Mark Zuckerberg’s recent video introducing Jarvis, the Morgan-Freeman-voiced AI system he’s built for his house, is worth a watch ...