Inside the DIF 2018 ezine

Using technology for real social impact A POWERFUL FORCE FOR GOOD – THE COMBINED STRENGTH OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL INVESTMENT Using digital technology to solve complex social problems is relatively new concept – but it’s an approach that’s gaining real momentum around the world. Here in Victoria, a multitude of tech entrepreneurs and social services are turning tech into a powerful social-change ally. These people are putting digital tools to work in solving all kinds of complex social problems, from homelessness to family violence, and from disaster relief to issues faced by people with disabilities.

Given that social problems involve people, the digital world may seem an unlikely place to start looking for solutions to our unique and complex problems. But the combined power of big data and artificial intelligence can deliver finely nuanced and carefully tailored approaches to mapping, measuring, managing and mitigating even the most complex social issues.

POWERFUL NEW TOOLS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SOCIAL CHANGE So for most digital innovators developing social-change products and solutions, the biggest challenge is not the intricacies of society or humanity. For most innovators creating new technologies, the biggest challenge is often awareness.

Socio-tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists know what is possible, but their field is a new one so most of the rest of us – and especially people outside the social-change sector, such as corporates and venture capitalists – have no idea these powerful change-enabling tools exist. And this is where the Victorian Government’s Digital Innovation Festival (DIF) comes in, and in particular, the Social Innovation Tech Summit.

CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY WITH OUR NEW, PURPOSE-DRIVEN CULTURE “Purpose-driven business used to be a marketing-type trend, but now it’s becoming more of a market demand. More customers and employees are questioning organisations, saying: ‘What are you doing to make this world a better place?

Because if you’re not doing anything, I don’t want to know you, buy from you or work for you,” Megan explains. “So, the summit can help organisations leverage this purpose-driven culture, giving them a competitive advantage in whichever market and industry they’re in.”

As someone who has been immersed in the digital innovation sector for many years, Megan knows cross-sector collaboration is an integral part of social innovation. “And yet,” she says, “Our vehicle for cross-sector collaboration is fundamentally flawed because we have no idea who’s doing what, where they’re doing it, why they’re doing it, who they’re collaborating with or what could we learn from them.”

So right now, we have a corporate sector looking to create real social value, many industry sectors unaware of new technology being developed specifically to help them, and start-up digital entrepreneurs unsure how to connect with potential partners. This is why the Social Innovation Tech Summit is such a valuable opportunity for people working in all kinds of industries.