Where is the technology frontier?
For learning, more is more.
At the FT Hub, we are determined to follow our own advice and make sure we are optimised for learning, so that we support FCDO Pioneers and partners as best we can to address development challenges. This requires us to dive deeply into key research topics and nimbly but rigorously testing key assumptions. We do this through“rapid research cycles”, or RRCs, where we:
- determine our key learning questions, based on uncertainty we have going into key programme decision points
- interview key programme stakeholders and global experts
- build on that feedback with a global evidence review and
- distil key findings for sharing in a participatory workshop to directly inform programme decisions.
We completed the programme’s first RRC in summer 2020, and wanted to share some of the questions we asked, the answers we found, and the better-informed decisions we then made.
First, we knew we would be selecting a new cohort of FT pilots, so we asked, “Where are the knowledge, activity, and geographical gaps in frontier technologies?” We wanted to make sure FT can build a portfolio of truly frontier solutions with this latest crop of pilots, and ensure our work was complementary to (rather than duplicative of) all of the other work happening in this space.
Locating the frontier
Our approach combining stakeholder and expert input with desk research turned out to be quite useful for locating the frontier, as each method surfaced different perspectives. For example, programme stakeholders told us that technological solutions were particularly applicable in the agriculture sector, in which the FT Hub has supported relatively few technologies. Before running with that conclusion, however, our desk research showed that agriculture might be a relatively saturated space; we found that many efforts already exist to apply tech solutions in that sector. Below is one of the data visualizations we produced with the database of what we found. You can see the online version of the visualizations here, and the underlying detailed database here.
In general, we concluded that FT Pilots tend away from saturated sectors (a good thing, for avoiding duplication) but could do more in neglected but important sectors, like gender and governance.
A new focus on the MENA region
We also investigated geographical trends. Key programme respondents recommended a continued prioritization of East Africa (as a region with stronger tech and innovation ecosystems for supporting frontier technologies) and a new focus on the Middle East and North Africa. The desk review supported the idea that MENA is more of a tech “frontier”, and so is a geography FT is looking to explore in the future.
The pilot selection committee was able to use this information during their deliberations to identify the new cohort of pilots. For example, several pilot applications from the shortlist moved on to further stages of consideration because of their direct relevance to the priority countries and sectors.
Five ways we can better support FCDO
We then asked “How can we best engage with and support FCDO programming?” For our main offers, Livestreaming and Futures, FCDO staff and partners are the ‘stars of the show’ who bring ideas to life to address development impact. The success of Frontier Tech therefore depends on how well we help them achieve their needs. Ways we heard that we can improve include to:
- Clarify our offer and the expected effort of participating in Livestreaming or Futures activities
- Identify and work through FCDO champions of frontier tech
- Shorten engagements, but increase follow-up support
- Prioritize building knowledge and capacity of FCDO staff around frontier tech
- Align support with FCDO programme cycles
These recommendations were helpful and well-timed, as we adapted Futures engagements to a COVID-19, virtual format and updated the Futures strategy in light of the FCO/DFID merger. The team is now delivering virtual Futures through FCDO Regional Hubs. Our goal in engaging with country offices across an entire region is to see that Futures engagements are co-created with Regional Hubs, and the tailored content offered is clearly linked to seeing change in how country offices operate in this new COVID context and beyond.
As part of the second question on FCDO support, we also wanted to find out, “What are the enabling conditions and barriers to expanding FT Livestreaming and Futures engagements?” Understanding these factors is a first step toward making our support to pilots and FCDO country offices more effective. Most of the challenges and enablers were things we expect the five suggested improvements above to address. For example, by clarifying our process and the effort required to participate, we expect to encourage potential FCDO Pioneers to apply to FT Livestreaming who may have otherwise been concerned about adding additional work to their portfolio.
Challenging ourselves on the next cycle of learning
However, one factor we heard repeatedly, as both an enabler and a barrier, will require a longer-term process: the maturity of the local innovation ecosystem. Maturity in this context means the level of infrastructure, policy, and human or financial capital in the local context that is able, and willing, to take a risk with a new technological solution.
The team has grappled with ecosystem maturity since the early days of Frontier Tech; half of the key challenges in the Frontier Technology Playbook are characteristics of a less mature or ripe local ecosystem. To start to tackle this issue, our second Rapid Research Cycle 2 (RRC2) is building on the findings from RRC1 to interrogate business models, development impact, and how to support scaling. We are specifically investigating how to increase the likelihood of scale across the solutions that we work with, and how to understand the innovation ecosystem’s effect on that likelihood.
Even more directly than RRC1, RRC2 is actively changing some of the ways the FT Hub works and the types of support we offer. It’s truly exciting stuff, and we very much look forward to sharing the results with you soon.
Have a question, comment, or disagreement? Is there more information you would find useful on these topics or the upcoming ones? Please use the comment section below to let us know.
A special thanks to the army of staff who helped gather, analyze, and visualize all of the data. And an especially big thanks to the experts and stakeholders who gave us their time and valuable perspectives.
