Digital heroes are improving our lives with new tech

In a world where technology has become central to our lives, many of us have apps, platforms, and digital services that we rely on every day.

Whether it makes daily tasks easier, or helps us take care of our health, much of this technology is a force for good. And, behind each of these digital innovations are the individuals who came up with the ideas and design, although, more often than not, you won’t know their names.

For example, with 30 million users across 190 countries it’s likely you have heard of the app Headspace, but have you heard of its designers Andy Puddicombe and Richard Pierson? The two men created the app to help people access meditation to improve their mental health. Andy and Richard are just one example of the digital heroes who are working to improve people’s lives through digital technology and connectivity.

We must also recognise the role connectivity plays as an enabler. Reliable connectivity ensures that people can access this fantastic technology where and when they need it. That’s why CityFibre is working to deliver its £100m+ full fibre network rollout here in Edinburgh, bringing fast, reliable connectivity within reach of almost every home and business locally.

Our full fibre network will future-proof towns and cities across the UK and ensure that as new connected technologies and digital tools emerge, everyone can access them. But where is this innovation coming from? In many cases new technology is being developed to solve an existing problem.

Mette Lykke, for instance, decided to use technology to tackle an issue that has a huge impact globally – food waste. In order to tackle this problem, Mette developed the Too Good To Go app which lets users buy and collect food from restaurants, hotels, shops and manufacturers which would otherwise have gone to waste. The app has more than 40 million active users in 15 international markets and has saved more than 80 million meals from going to waste.

Another example is WorryTree, which was designed by Louise Stevenson as a way of helping her anxiety. The app uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy processes to help users manage stress.

There are so many others we could mention, including those behind the most used platforms on the planet such as – Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who created YouTube and Brian Acton and Jan Koum who founded WhatsApp.

This is just a snapshot of some of the many digital heroes whose new technology is having an immeasurable impact on the world. With the constant development of new technology, the potential it has to change our lives is endless, but what remains constant is the role of digital connectivity as an enabler, and our full fibre rollout here in Edinburgh will ensure everyone can benefits from our digital heroes’ innovations.

Edinburgh Local Heroes – nominate your own today

Whilst we celebrate some of our digital heroes in this article, CityFibre are also celebrating Edinburgh’s Local Heroes at this year’s awards ceremony. We are proudly sponsoring the Community Champion award which not only recognises, encourages and rewards people who make a difference within their community, but inspires others to do the same. Nominations for the award remain open until 22nd October 2021 on the Edinburgh Evening News website.

To find out more about CityFibre and our new network in Edinburgh, head to cityfibre.com/EEN