Misinformation and propaganda have tendencies to pose a big threat to the security and cohesion of countries. There is an urgent need to create tools that understand, expose and tackle these threats.
The US-Africa Tech Challenge is calling on African technologists to apply for its challenge by submitting a solution that tackles misinformation and propaganda projected to the civil society, government and sector stakeholders.
The challenge will select up to eight organizations to participate in the demo using their technology. Up to three organizations will eventually emerge as winners to receive funding in a total of $250,000 USD.
The challenge is sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the European Union, U.S. Embassy Nairobi, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Informa, Twitter and Park Advisors.
The challenge will take place in two virtual parts. The first part holds by April 2021, which will see the selected organizations get up to 25 minutes each to make a presentation on their solution to a closed audience.
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The second part will hold on of East Africa Com margins from 11-12, May 2021. East Africa Com is one of the premier events for digital communications and it will offer participants an opportunity to network and build partnerships.
The US-Africa Tech Challenge is aiming to advance the development of potential and innovative technologies working against tackling propaganda and misinformation across the continent.
Interested organizations can send an email to africatechchallenge[at]disinfocloud.com for details on eligibility and application instructions.
The deadline for the application period is Sunday, February 28, 2021.
Note that only submissions from companies based and headquartered in Africa will get considered.
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