IBM has unveiled its first-ever public “ThinkPlace Challenge,” an open forum designed to foster global collaboration on innovation opportunities and economic development issues facing the African continent.
The top ideas generated through the ThinkPlace Challenge will help shape the agenda for IBM's upcoming Global Innovation Outlook (GIO) and provide longer-term input for IBM's World Development Initiative (WDI),” said Dr. Daniel Dias, Director, IBM India Research Laboratory.
The GIO brings together more than 150 global thought leaders for a series of conferences in seven major markets around the world. These GIO sessions, comprising leaders in business, government, academia, NGOs and venture capital, are designed to surface actionable policy issues, investment strategies, business models and technology priorities related to innovation and economic development in the region. In a related effort, IBM recently launched the WDI to advance sustainable, scalable technology solutions that will foster business development in emerging markets at the so-called “base of the pyramid.”
"Even in this era of global development and commerce, more than four billion people live on less than $5 per day," said Mark Harris, General Manager, IBM South Africa. "Philanthropy alone will not create opportunity. To drive economic development in Africa , the private and public sectors need to collaborate to help develop local economies. I believe that these tools and technologies, along with frank and open dialogue, can truly make a difference to the future of this region."
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