Prize for Innovation in Global Security!

We are thrilled to announce that we are one of the winners of the 2022 Prize for Innovation in Global Security by Geneva Centre for Security Policy for the Digital Safe feature of our “Sophia” – the world’s first chatbot empowering survivors of domestic violence! We are deeply humbled and thrilled by this recognition of our use of #TechForGood to help end domestic violence and address global injustices. We believe that technology and social action is important in making the world a better place for everyone.

We are incredibly proud of our team team, incl. Steve Phillips, Giada Fallo, and Russ Delos Santos, who have been working relentlessly to create a highly innovative approach to storing potential evidence for survivors of domestic violence. A venture that came with many challenges as the Sophia’s “Digital Safe” needs to be highly secure – as it is storing the most sensitive files – as well as be easily accessible to survivors of domestic violence – who cannot store their complicated password anywhere, as the biggest danger comes from where they should be safest: their own homes.

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) – who recognised our efforts – is an international foundation housed within the Maison de la Paix, Geneva and was founded by the Federal Department of Defence and in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as a Swiss contribution to Partnership for Peace (PfP). The GCSP’s governing body is its Foundation Council, which consists of representatives of 52 member states and the Canton of Geneva, in which we are able to effectively #ActNow by creating awareness and magnifying our collective compassion and technology by implementing our chatbot “Sophia” to new countries, reaching more people in need across the globe. Let us grow together as we develop our potential when all voices are actively involved in all aspects of our endeavours. By making every action count, we at ACT are committed to GCSP’s Creativity and Innovation Initiative that aims to create “innovative approach to addressing international security challenges” and we look forward to continuing our innovative technology into real world value.

The GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security criteria are as follows:

• The prize is designed to reach across all relevant disciplines and fields. 
• It is intended to encourage and recognise excellence in contributing to new approaches to enhancing sustainable global security. 
• A broad range of projects could qualify for consideration, including, but not limited to, technological and conceptual innovations, original research or grassroots initiatives.

The Virtual Prize Ceremony, took place on Wednesday, 23 November, as part of the GCSP Innovation Day event scheduled at 3pm Geneva Time (UTC +1). This is a GCSP public event and is open to everyone.

The GCSP article entitled Three Ground-breaking Security Projects with Exceptional Promise Are Honoured with 2022 GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security dedicated to 2022 prize edition has been published here!

The 2022 Innovation Day Webinar and Prize Innovation in Global Security Ceremony recording is now available here! The GCSP Prize Ceremony begins at 01:06:26 on the recording and includes an acceptance speech by Founder and Director Rhiana Spring, followed by a Q&A Session.

Written by Simon Sundaraj Kühn and Spring ACT