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Identity is Everything: Creating a Digital ID Future
In the developing world, over 2 billion people lack an official ID, preventing them from accessing services vital to robust economic and political lives, such as bank accounts. Digital identity offers an unprecedented opportunity to level the playing field for each unique person on this planet, helping them raise themselves, and their countries, out of poverty.
- Categories
- Technology
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Getting 4 Billion New Internet Users Online: Deploying Conversational AI at the BoP
Do you remember JARVIS, the computerized personal assistant who helps Tony Stark manage his complex super hero affairs in the Iron Man movies? With the rise of conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) like Google Home or Amazon Echo, or the smartphone-based Viv, Siri, Cortana, etc., similar JARVIS-like services may be available in the not-so-distant future. But wouldn’t it be better if this technology actually helped increase equality of global mobile access and information, in addition to just ordering take out?
- Categories
- Technology
- Tags
- fintech
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The Indian start-up that may sideswipe Apple Pay
With 900 million mobile phone users and a sophisticated biometric digital ID issued to every citizen, India is increasingly attractive to companies that provide mobile financial services.
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- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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GHIT Fund partners with 10 new global cos to expand investment in R&D for neglected diseases worldwide
The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) welcomed ten new partnerships that include major global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies—collaborations that will expand investments into research and development (R&D) for neglected diseases worldwide.
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- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- innovation
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Mobile wallet Mobikwik’s cash-back scheme runs afoul of Indian regulators
Mobile wallets company Mobikwik has withdrawn a scheme where it offered a “6% annual profit” to customers who maintain a monthly balance of at least Rs.5,000 in their mobile wallets.
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- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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The incredibly brilliant way people are now paying for things in Asia
In recent years, millions of people have grown accustomed to using messaging apps to communicate. Some of these apps now support person-to-person digital cash transfers. So the next step is pretty logical.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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African Data Prices Falling, Income Rising
Africa’s mobile Internet market has grown steadily over the last decade and new forecasts show mobile data revenue will double over the five years to 2019—topping $22 billion, according to Quartz. Mobile voice revenue, by comparison, is expected to grow by 10 percent in the same period.
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- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- mobile finance
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Heart monitoring device wins top African prize
A portable heart diagnostic invention has won its developer — Cameroonian Arthur Zang — Africa prize for engineering innovation.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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