Sonja Betschart is a passionate social entrepreneur, Ashoka fellow and Co-Founder of WeRobotics, a social impact organization that responsibly and sustainably localizes emerging technologies for social good.
One of WeRobotics’ core activities is to co-create and facilitate the Flying Labs Network, an inclusive global network of independent knowledge hubs that convene and strengthen capacity of local experts in professional drone, data, robotics and AI services for a wide range of development and aid sectors, including climate action, agriculture, disaster management, health, conservation, urban development and more. Today, the Network is present in over 40 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia/Pacific and
Sonja is part of Europe’s Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise in 2023 and was voted one of Switzerland’s 100 Digital Shapers in 2018, 2019 and 2021, before being elected to their Hall of Fame in 2022. She is a seasoned speaker, including speaking engagements at WSIS, WEF and UNWDF.
At WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network, we believe in the power of local expertise to sustainably and responsibly localize technology and create actionable impact for climate action, development and aid solutions, first and foremost on a grassroots level. Technologies are just a tool. Lasting and meaningful impact is created when local experts implement and apply technologies with their vision, locally, in a way that works best for their communities.
Learn from our real-world example and journey over the past 7+ years of introducing and localizing drones, data and AI to local communities, including agricultural communities in a sustainable and inclusive way. In this session, we are keen to share our approach, methodologies as well as challenges we are facing.
New Delhi, India
Texcoco, Mexico
Washington, D.C., United States
