Results for Development

Frontier Technologies (FT) is a programme designed to help DFID apply frontier technologies to the biggest challenges in development. The second phase of the programme began in December 2019. It operates through four interconnected workstreams: > Livestreaming aims to pilot the application of frontier technologies in addressing development challenges, and test patheways to scale so that DFID and the development community have access to knowledge and evidence around the potential value of frontier technologies in development. > Futures is a capability-development initiative designed to enhance the frontier technology knowledge and local tech connections of DFID teams and Country Offices, so that DFID staff understand and are better equipped to use frontier technologies to enhance development impact. > Partnerships works to collaborate with strategic partners working on / interested in frontier technologies in support the adoption and scaling of frontier technologies in different contexts. > Research & Learning generates evidence and learning products improve programme design and delivery, and benefit the broader development community. In response to the COVID pandemic in 2020 the scope of work has expanded to include sourcing and support for COVID-19 response innovations. In addition, ‘FTx’ projects focus on testing decentralised models for the Frontier Tech offer, embedding aspects of frontier technology programming into DFID Country Offices, and the local ecosystems that support them, in a sustainable way.

The Frontier Tech Hub (FT Hub) is a component of the award-winning Ideas to Impact (I2I) programme and has been operational since 2016. The aim of FT Hub is to increase the number of people globally with access to life-improving technologies. To achieve this, the FT Hub invests, supports and develops frontier technology solutions, alongside FCDO staff. This helps the FCDO improve their knowledge and capabilities in using frontier technology in their work, and provides a platform for longer-term adoption into programmes and integration into FCDO systems. The uniqueness of the FT Hub is in its ability to explore frontier technology applications across any thematic area and development challenge in FCDO’s priority countries. Since 2016, we have worked with 94 pilots in 35 countries, and over 122 FCDO staff. In 2024, an external review of its piloting component stated FT is ‘a unique programme which produces value both internally within FCDO, and externally in the wider development-technology landscape’ and is ‘well aligned to FCDO strategic priorities for use of technology to address development challenges and increasing civil service innovation capacity’. The FT Hub has built a large evidence base of ‘what works and what does not’ across multiple thematic areas, developed prototype technologies for use in FCDO, ran immersive workshops with a wide range of stakeholders and ensured adoption and policy change to maximise impact. In 2023 the FT Hub expanded its work to also include non-ODA activities. The FT Hub is a fast-paced, adaptative space, run by three collaborative partners: Results for Development (R4D), DT Global and Brink. Each brings a unique set of experiences, geographical footprints and skillsets to provide complimentary assets and resources to those we work alongside. FT Hub uses lean, agile methods and approaches to understand critical assumptions and drive rapid testing, which is vitally important for investing at ‘Ideation’ and ‘Research and Development’ stages of the innovation scaling journey. With the FT Hub coming to the end of its second programme cycle (FT2), the continuing demand and value that the FT Hub has generated, both internally within FCDO but also with a wider set of stakeholders, is more apparent than ever. The UK Government’s Digital Development Strategy explicitly names Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a priority area and the recent G7 Outcome Statement on AI for Prosperity, which emphasised the need to ‘seize the potential of AI in our public sectors to drive efficiency and better serve our publics ’.