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Artificial Intelligence and Decarbonization

Mark Harris

July 01, 2017 |

Anthropocene Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

As electric utilities expand to include evolving forms of energy such as varied renewables, the already complex puzzle of storage and distribution (effectively addressing surges and lulls in demand) has grown more difficult. Artificial intelligence in the form of super speed algorithms that can detect usage patterns and allocate the right types of energy at the right times is a straightforward solution that can reduce costs and emissions simultaneously, while encouraging consumer behavior change to maximize efficiency.

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California decided it was tired of women bleeding to death in childbirth

Julia Belluz

June 29, 2017 |

Vox |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

The USA is seeing rising maternal mortality rates in recent years. It shows higher rates than most developed countries, in part due to the country's lack of attention to women's health. California is reversing this trend through their California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) which analyzes data and then uses it to make recommendations and "toolkits" for hospitals to be prepared should an emergency arise in childbirth.

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This Online Lender Uses Data Analytics To Serve Borrowers Who Lack Credit Scores

Jessica Goodheart

June 29, 2017 |

FastCompany |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

Historically, banks have been largely hesitant to give small loans to individuals, particularly those with little or no credit history, which includes many immigrants and minorities. But an institution called Oportun is willing to bet on the underserved while still staying profitable as a business - they provide increased access to loans by leveraging a solid screening process, online resources, and credit score support for their customers.

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AI Is a Game-Changer in the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty. Here's Why

Joseph Bennington-Castro

June 21, 2017 |

NBC News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Stanford, California

Beyond its common application as a predictor of consumer purchasing behavior, AI can be utilized to tackle poverty issues, improve agricultural efficiency, and increase access to information for otherwise disconnected populations. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are putting global satellite photographs into a complex algorithm to gauge economic activity.

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Creating a Better Community Through Text Messages

Krutika Pathi

June 14, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

For urban residents, participation in city-planning often means navigating complex administrative bureaucracy and struggling through a lack of transparency, but in New York City, efforts are being made to engage citizens in the renewal (and preservation) of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The city’s Housing Department has worked with the online platform coUrbanize to facilitate community-sourced ideas for the future via text. These residents’ responses are then inputted into a publicly-accessible map, which the city has pledged to incorporate into its planning.

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Cloud 311 Popularity Grows as Cities of All Sizes Move to Remotely Hosted CRM

Tod Newcombe

June 01, 2017 |

Government Technology |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Traditional 311 operations can be costly to maintain, so the city of Sacramento implemented cloud CRM in order to cut costs and increase flexibility of operations. While there is still room to expand what is offered, this cloud-based solution does offer the "ability to set up and launch 311 quickly, without the need for IT staff to maintain the servers and networks."

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311: From a Hotline to a Platform for Citizen Engagement

Tod Newcombe

June 01, 2017 |

Government Technology |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

Boston's 311 mobile application, launch in 2009, exemplifies the new customer service-oriented era of the citizen service, which allows users to request services, take photos of potholes, and offer data to city planners. Neighboring Somerville, Massachusetts has a successful 311 app of its own, where an analytics team crunches the wealth of data generated by the app service. But Kansas City, Missouri's 311 services are even more developed, and citizens can access the city via the app, clal-in, Twitter, and social media.

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The Future of CRM and Customer Service: Look to Boston

Tod Newcombe

June 01, 2017 |

Government Technology |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

To better serve the Boston community, the city launched a mobile app to address gaps in traditional 311 hotline calls. Now, "nearly 60 percent of service requests come via digital channels" and city officials are better able to "track the city’s performance against a benchmark service-level agreement."

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How 3 Cities Are Using an App Designed to Help Them Collaborate

Johnny Magdaleno

May 22, 2017 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Cities are often alone in trying to develop solutions to their problems. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago developed an app— "The Peer Cities Identification Tool"— that matches similar U.S. cities and encourages discussion about challenges and successes.

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In Kenya, Phones Replace Bank Tellers

Tina Rosenberg

May 09, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

Building on the widespread use of mobile phones in Kenya, applications have been developed to provide people with financial services. Through these applications people can securely receive money, save money, and make payments increasing their fiscal stability and their ability to access assistance when adverse events happen. The applications also create a record of financial transactions resulting in people being able to establish credit, receive loans, and access pay-as-you-go programs.

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