Speechmark

From credit ratings to job applications, increasingly it is machines making decisions that impact the lives of people. However, is it always understood how well algorithms perform? A machine-learning algorithm is only as good as the data it is given, and bad data can lead to bias. This week, we hear about examples of where biases happen, and what can be done to reduce this risk, as explained by Nuria Oliver, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Vodafone Institute and Chief Data Scientist at Data-Pop Alliance. Like the show? Have some feedback? Let us know what you think at gigalife@vodafone.com or leave us a review.

Drone logistics has fast become a hot topic - but what if you could use it to deliver something more important than pizza and shampoo? Eugene and Thomas of MamaBird are doing just that - they're taking advantage of this emerging technology to ensure that women in Malawi have access to the right sanitary products to give birth safely.  In this episode of Speechmark, we talk about the ups and downs of drone logistics and hear about the future of drones and how they can even get more women into STEM careers. For more on MamaBird, visit mamabird.io or read a little more about them at the Vodafone Institute (https://www.vodafone-institut.de/f-lane/with-mamabird-thomas-lauzon-and-eugene-maseya-save-lives-by-using-drones-for-medical-deliveries/)   Like the show? Have some feedback? Let us know what you think at gigalife@vodafone.com or leave us a review.  

What happens when you team up a startup founder with a mentor from a large organisation? This week, we explore everything from the cultural differences, working relationships and learning points that can be taken from such an experiment. We follow the journeys of two similarly passionate founders with two very different concepts: one, a smart mobility platform for bikes & e-scooters; the other, a mobile app which provides stability to people experiencing homelessness.  Like the show? Have some feedback? Let us know what you think at gigalife@vodafone.com or leave us a review.  

When disaster strikes, it is a natural reaction to want to connect with loved ones and seek help. A line of communication is critical for victims and rescue workers to receive and provide vital news, transfer money, and to start the process of rebuilding. Since 2011, Vodafone Foundation’s Instant Network technology has assisted in over 20 missions around the world, empowered tens of thousands of people, and enabled 3 million telephone calls. But who delivers this technology? When the call comes, a global team of volunteers pack their bags and deploy at a moment's notice to almost anywhere in the world. In this episode of Speechmark, we tell the stories of these volunteers and some of the remarkable ways in which the connectivity they bring has impacted people's lives.   You can read more on Instant Network and Vodafone Foundation's work on Gigalife: https://gigalife.vodafone.com/making-a-connection-how-vodafone-foundations-instant-network-is-a-lifesaver-in-disaster-zones/   Like the show? Have some feedback? Let us know what you think at gigalife@vodafone.com or leave us a review.  

A brand new series by Vodafone. Ellie Williams hosts as we explore the people working on technology that will make societies future-ready. The first stories will be arriving in your feed over the coming weeks. For more great stories about the connected future visit our blog gigalife.vodafone.com