Counting Cows: Putting data science tools in the hands of development decision makers Artwork

The Drone Frontier

In this 5-part series, we’re going to delve deeper into what the future of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, can look like; how they can be used for positive impact, what we need to do to integrate them in existing systems, and how we can get the global rules on drone technology right. This series was commissioned by UKAid and undertaken by the Frontier Technologies Hub. Hosted by Sarah Pannell, Policy adviser in FCDO’s Technology and Innovation Unit and drones for development lead at the FCDO.This is the second season of The Frontier Podcast series. Our first series tackled the role of data in international development, hosted by Valentine J Gandhi and produced by the Frontier Technologies Hub and Niras Digital Futures Hub, and funded by UKAid. Listen below and learn more at https://www.frontiertechhub.org/resources

All Episodes

The Drone Frontier

Counting Cows: Putting data science tools in the hands of development decision makers

June 30, 2021 • Tim Harris • Season 1 • Episode 1

We speak to Tim Harris, user engagement lead for the Data Science Hub of the Data Science Campus, Office for National Statistics. The purpose of the Hub is to support UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) staff and partners, including the wider UK Government, in the use of cutting-edge data science tools and frontier data sources for international development.

A key part of the Hub’s work is to support near real-time decision making through the automation of data collection and analysis processes using frontier data technologies and machine learning approaches. We hear about interesting examples where these tools have been applied in the country contexts of Ivory Coast and South Sudan, where in the latter, satellite imagery and machine learning is being used to count cows where traditional surveys are not possible.

Links
Frontier Technology Hub blog post
Frontier Data Study - releasing the power of digital data for development