By Antonio Eduardo Mendes da Silva (Pitanga), BSA country manager for Brazil
Many assume that emerging economies, such as Brazil's, are not prepared to harness the power of data. However, this could not be a more misleading impression. Millions of people in developing countries are already experiencing the extraordinary impact that the data is having on their communities. Currently, more than 90% of NGOs installed in these locations believe that data analysis is the key to strengthening the region's growth capacity. Scientists, researchers, software engineers and developers are creating software and technologies tailored for developing countries, especially in areas such as agriculture, health and resource management.
Smarter agricultural practices are gaining ground in the emerging world through the use of radio frequency identification sensors. These real-time data collectors are leading to more sustainable farming practices and increased food production capacity for large populations. In Brazil, agribusiness is using software and analyzing data to improve pest control techniques, reduce costs and boost productivity.
The impact has been especially significant in the health sector. Brazilian hospitals are using radio frequency identification tags on stretchers, wheelchairs and other medical equipment, which allows their locations to be mapped in real time, facilitating inventory management and avoiding the unnecessary acquisition of new equipment. In Africa, prosthetic printing is dramatically improving the quality of life for people who have had limbs amputated, as 3D models can be generated quickly and at a fraction of the cost of traditional prostheses. In Kenya, scientists are using cellular data to locate focal points for malaria transmission. Epidemiologists have found that data from cell towers could track population travel patterns around sources of malaria like Lake Victoria. With these data, the Kenyan government was able to detect new outbreaks and make more efficient efforts to eradicate the disease.
Data science is also changing the way resources are managed. In the Philippines, IBM data scientists are monitoring water use to better distribute the resource across communities. Sensors in underground wells are used to transmit immediate information on the amount of water, creating a system for mapping and analyzing supply conditions. Real-time data can also indicate when a pump is about to fail, allowing engineers to address the problem before water distribution to the community is interrupted.
From these examples, it is not surprising that emerging economies are growing more than you think in terms of technological data and innovation. According to IDC, these economies, including Brazil, will overtake developed countries as the main data producers by 2020. In this era of rapid change, how can we contribute to helping people in developing countries to use data to improve their lives?
Businesses and governments around the world need to encourage investment in software innovation and support policies that protect data movement when crossing borders. Countries that restrict data sharing can limit, or even eliminate, opportunities and solutions that would be enjoyed worldwide, increasing the quality of life for everyone. It is necessary that data can move between countries and continents. To that end, lawmakers around the world must support actions that strengthen data sharing.
Software and data analysis are already dramatically increasing the well-being of people in these regions and boosting their economies, but progress will only accelerate if we work collectively to make the digital revolution truly global.
Smarter agricultural practices are gaining ground in the emerging world through the use of radio frequency identification sensors. These real-time data collectors are leading to more sustainable farming practices and increased food production capacity for large populations. In Brazil, agribusiness is using software and analyzing data to improve pest control techniques, reduce costs and boost productivity.
The impact has been especially significant in the health sector. Brazilian hospitals are using radio frequency identification tags on stretchers, wheelchairs and other medical equipment, which allows their locations to be mapped in real time, facilitating inventory management and avoiding the unnecessary acquisition of new equipment. In Africa, prosthetic printing is dramatically improving the quality of life for people who have had limbs amputated, as 3D models can be generated quickly and at a fraction of the cost of traditional prostheses. In Kenya, scientists are using cellular data to locate focal points for malaria transmission. Epidemiologists have found that data from cell towers could track population travel patterns around sources of malaria like Lake Victoria. With these data, the Kenyan government was able to detect new outbreaks and make more efficient efforts to eradicate the disease.
Data science is also changing the way resources are managed. In the Philippines, IBM data scientists are monitoring water use to better distribute the resource across communities. Sensors in underground wells are used to transmit immediate information on the amount of water, creating a system for mapping and analyzing supply conditions. Real-time data can also indicate when a pump is about to fail, allowing engineers to address the problem before water distribution to the community is interrupted.
From these examples, it is not surprising that emerging economies are growing more than you think in terms of technological data and innovation. According to IDC, these economies, including Brazil, will overtake developed countries as the main data producers by 2020. In this era of rapid change, how can we contribute to helping people in developing countries to use data to improve their lives?
Businesses and governments around the world need to encourage investment in software innovation and support policies that protect data movement when crossing borders. Countries that restrict data sharing can limit, or even eliminate, opportunities and solutions that would be enjoyed worldwide, increasing the quality of life for everyone. It is necessary that data can move between countries and continents. To that end, lawmakers around the world must support actions that strengthen data sharing.
Software and data analysis are already dramatically increasing the well-being of people in these regions and boosting their economies, but progress will only accelerate if we work collectively to make the digital revolution truly global.
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