Frontier Technologies 2 (FT2)

The Frontier Technologies Phase 2 (FT2) programme was originally a 4-year programme, that has now had a no-cost time extension for two years (December 2019 - March 2025) FCDO-funded programme which is part of FCDO’s broader Ideas to Impact portfolio. Frontier Technologies Phase 2 (FT2) is implemented through a Hub of partners led by Results for Development (R4D). FT2 builds upon a number of existing initiatives from Phase 1 of the programme, including Frontier Technologies Livestreaming and Frontier Technologies Futures, as well as incorporating some new components to support learning and thought leadership, exploration of early-stage ideas and catalyse scaling of promising solutions. Broadly, the programme aims to work with FCDO staff, technology specialists, and local delivery organisations all over the world to explore how frontier technologies can help address development challenges. New technologies such as UAVs, machine learning, blockchain and the Internet of Things are disrupting economies, reshaping communities, and have the potential to dramatically shape FCDO’s work. We equip FCDO staff to be better commissioners and users of frontier tech and innovative methods by fostering learnings on and enabling experimentation with frontier technologies. Through our work, FCDO will gain knowledge and insights about frontier technologies and apply these technologies to their own work across a range of contexts and use cases, drawing on innovative methodologies. This will enable FCDO to foster and lead the responsible, impact-first use of frontier technologies within their policies and programmes, in order to advance social impact and values-driven diplomacy.