“Whether we want it or not, the victory of technology in developing countries is very fast. The poor are more likely to be able to use a mobile phone than pure water or a decent toilet. In Tanzania, the inaccessible road conditions are no longer an obstacle to registering the birth of a baby - it can also be done via SMS, while blood vessels from cities to hospitals in Delaware are transported by drones in Malawi. Nearly 80% of the world's billion people with disabilities live in developing countries, thanks to new technologies, they have significantly more opportunities to communicate and work in close and distant places," said  Sigrid Solnik (CEO in Development Cooperation Rountable)

The Digitalising Development Conference 2017 risk panel talks about both data protection and the digital divide. What is the use of technology for citizens in the dictatorial countries, for example? There is also no problem that when communication, job opportunities and information are being transferred to the Internet, the regions without electricity or mobile phones will simply be dropped off the train. Surveys show that the winner of technology will be most benefited by the rich man living in the middle of the city and the poorest poor woman living in the countryside.

In Estonia, we are used to thinking that technology is positive or at least neutral. Speaking at the conference, the University of Amsterdam's PhD candidate, Alix Rübsaam, talks about why technology is not positive, negative or neutral. How will studying and working in the future, does artificial intelligence mean humankind, and what does this mean for both the Western and developing countries?

We would like to thank our mentors & experts for helping the teams to brainstorm ideas and propose potential solutions: Edna Soomre (SPIDER), Andres Susi (Tech entrepreneur & Garage48 mentor), Kadi Kenk (Lets Do It World), Kristiina Kerge (Lets Do It World), Eero Janson (Estonian Refugee Council), Riina Kuusik-Rajasaar (Mondo), Anto Liivat (Enterprise Estonia), Helen Kokk (Nortal), Karl Aru (Taxify), Ülane Vilumets (Like A Local Guide).

Below are the ideas and projects brainstormed during the Idea Garage48 event:

The platform connecting delivery freelancers with delivery orders, a special tool for marketers. That has a delivery marketplace, is fast and affordable and has a lot of drivers. Daily basis.

3. Nannify
An app, where you can find a nanny with in 60 minutes when your kid is sick. Based on localisation, live feed. The system that is controlled and the nannies have been checked up and they will have ratings. The system is similar to the Taxify app. Payment would be by credit card, mobile bank etc. Power to the women. 

4. QTS - Quality Technical Support
Special needs people need an app or a platform where they can integrate different platforms with each other. For example - find work, find activities etc. Target group: People with special needs and Businesses.

5. Volunteering
Idea is to create a system/app, where all the volunteers can do their tasks wherever they are no matter what organization they volunteer at the same time.

6. ONE MEAL
Idea is to have an additional income. Cook at home, go pick up on the way you go home. Needs to have a system how exactly this will work. Everything will be done by the mobile bank.

7. Ethics in the digital world
Idea is to have a discussion about ethics on the internet. What’s okay and what’s not, how do react and help to create ethic rules?

8. Stray animals
Idea is to create an educational behavior changing app what will help to take actions: 1. What to do when you meet a stray animal, 2. How to solve their multiplication.

9. P2P service for freelancers delivery
Idea is to create a centralized market for tasks if you have few hours free time you just go to the app and find a task. You need to do something and you don’t have time - use the app and somebody else can do it for you. Local based.

This event was organized in co-operation with Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation