NOAH Foundation CEO and United Nations OHCHR


July 4, 2022

Isadora Detres, NOAH Foundation Founder and Emerald Tablet Consulting CEO, obtained her United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) consultancy license from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human RIghts, Washington DC. A list of the 1948 Declaration which was agreed to after the end of World War 2 Nurmemberg trials and one year prior to the Geneva Convention can be found here.

Ms. Detres earned the additional credential, following the CoronaVirus Pandemic of 2019, to assist her nonprofit executive leadership abilities and to bolster her insights pertaining to projects, products and partnerships that NOAH Foundation can engage with in its pursuit of reaching UNSDG2030 goals.

Swiss Cognitive Leading NOAH Foundation in Creation of AI Center of Excellence


March 30, 2022

Dalith Stiger greeted Swiss Cognitive attendees from their global network of AI professionals and she introduced keynote speakers who addressed topics such as "Bridging the gaps between innovation with AI algorithms, privacy protection, and use of synthetic data in real world use cases". Other topics highlighted during the conference focused on emerging skills required to collaborate between domains in various markets and enterprise leadership when building an AI Center of Excellence. Director of Operations for NOAH Foundation said "The creation of an AI Center of Excellence is a sophisticated approach for managing work at NOAH. My role in operations is focused on usable, repeatable, documented or coded standard operating procedures (SOPs). These processes can be automated which then helps our team do more with less. An AI COE also provides value by giving back human capital bandwidth to pursue other responsibilities such as growth opportunities for our nonprofit".

One statistic by the World Economic Forum underscores a growth mentality projecting nearly 100 million new jobs in AI by 2025. The development of an AI COE will be critical to mostly all businesses worldwide that have a technology component, but especially useful to configure compliance with the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) passed in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Furthermore; ambitious application designers and entrepreneurs can bolt on their proprietary emerging designs to new clients through proper gatekeeping within an AI COE, thus qualifying the business as an approved vendor. This approach would be in contrast to traditional methods like referred business within a limited network of people, buy outs, or overuse of mergers and acquisitions. By integrating new solutions together, including cross-border solutions, the horizon will be bright for economic growth (UNSDG 8), expansion of the labor market into the fourth industrial revolution and bringing vital resources into sustainable cities and communities (UNSDG 11).

NOAH Foundation Team Attends
Esri FedGIS Conference


February 22, 2022

Dominic Balzer, digital project manager at NOAH Foundation and a Temple University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute MIS Graduate, attended the Esri Federal GIS Conference. During the program an explanation of the design included how the service utilizes cloud hosting for its community of portal users, like US Federal agencies (such as FEMA and USDA). The end users of ArcGIS Hub now enjoy features like immersive data exploration, prominent metadata, plus a federated data catalog standards for services like FedRAMP, or international criterion like EU and UK reforms under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The technology created by Esri has a long history of energizing students across the United States, from elementary schools in Lakeland, Ohio to High Schools in Los Angeles, California to college students in Boston, Massachusetts. ArcGIS functionality, usability, and "maptivist" mentality has now reached the IEI student body in North Philadelphia pairing with the GIS program at Temple. Together NOAH Foundation, the IEI and GIS program at Temple University along with Esri products can grow Pennsylvania's population of spatial analyst and data engineers to synergistically strengthen the vision of Benjamin Franklin who penned the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident" and live in spirit embedded within Article One of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights."

Finally, StoryMaps was introduced. This feature includes embedded mapping with systems offered by standard providers like Salesforce, Amazon, SAP, IBM, MicroStrategy, Adobe, Microsoft, and Autodesk. There was no mention of including CBDC tracking or reconciling ledgers in the current roadmap, however; Esri remains focused with its mission for image capturing and reporting competencies for land records, public works, emergency management, utilities/ network management, planning and development, natural resources, transportation, military defense, public safety, telecommunications, human services, election data, and conservation data used by nonprofits like NOAH Foundation.

IMF: Traditional Factors of Production and Technology. Impact on Smart Cities, Critical Path and NOAH Foundation


November 10, 2021

Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director of IMF, began the conference stressing the importance of global principles in bolstering cross-border practices and cooperation. Financial Regulators operating internationally aim to support the IMF with technological adaptation. Traditional factors of production, including land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship combined with technological means in development will reduce threats to vulnerable systems and stored confidential data. Li identified failure to secure data, AI throughput, and cybersecurity practices would compromise global financial security. WTO representative Robert Koopman highlighted the digital divide in standardizing IT capability, interferes with data coherence and restricts integration with international agreements (such as COVID vaccine supplies). Catherine Batchelor discussed open banking in Europe and the goal to include consent to share consumer data. Open banking also consists of allowing consumers more control over 3rd party payments. These advancements aim to protect consumers plus provide ethical access to suitable banking options.

Economist Anton Korenik included that governance frameworks steered by AI, using methods like Deep Learning, will validate the “invisible hand” to achieve consensus around “perceived value” to guide markets and educate traders who may struggle at times to understand essential moving parts, which if left unchecked misinformed speculation will create additional economic volatility. Finally, Latha Reddy from the Global Commission on the Study of Cyberspace suggested Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) will aid interconnectedness, secure market reliability, and expose risks including bad actors across the network. The understanding of these developments are vital in creating a critical path for designing and building Smart Cities. Furthermore, like-minded professionals have a stake in the conference outcomes of the IMF and its integration of these concepts because they are essential in the sourcing, purchasing and deployment of IoT architecture. Isadora Detres, CEO of NOAH Foundation is anticipating future project work that may be required following CBPR+ , ISO 20022, Basel III, Basel IV and SOFR process flow impacts.

ITU, Satellites, Digital Transformation & Cyber Inclusion


September 15, 2021

Mohammed Alotaibi, Deputy Governor Radio Spectrum at the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) updated the panel with a robust list of achievements leading up to a fully connected globe. He reiterated known obstacles such as the digital divide. He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fair access, defined in Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed to reduce dependence on oil. David Goldman, Director of Satellite Policy for SpaceX, announced their effort to offer a new broadband system to launch satellites and encourage innovation with new services. Julie Zoller, former Sr. Deputy Coordinator in the State Department’s Office of Multilateral Affairs, Communications and Information Policy, now Head of Global Regulatory Affairs for Amazon, shared the value proposition for projects like Kuiper, advocating for savings, quality, and flexibility. She also underscored the necessity of satellites to reach those in remote locations granting access to the digital world and improved economic opportunities. Yulia Kulikova, Head of Regulatory Affairs for Astrocast in Switzerland, included a more comprehensive range of items to consider in spectrum access. She communicated challenges, like frameworks that exist in many countries, which may not be adaptive to the reality of the modern ITU Digital era. Kevin Choi (CTO, KT SAT, Korea) advocated for awareness that frequency is a public asset and should include equal access to everyone. He then noted the enablers who mobilize this frequency might be a risk to inclusion if entrusted to the hands of only a few select corporations. NOAH Foundation is tracking the broad perspectives shared by the panel, the impact on Title I, Title II, Title III and IDEA federal assistance school programs as well as any further advancement in Ending Platform Monopoly Act legislation.

The Digital Twin Ocean with IBM Advancing Ocean Health and IoT


June 07, 2021

One day ahead of the UN’s World Ocean Day, BigID hosted The Ocean Data Alliance to share its development of the Digital Twin Ocean. The virtual conference addressed questions like “what is a Digital Twin Ocean” and “what problems does it solve?”. Panel participants from Ocean Data Alliance, C4IR, and GEOMAR described their achievements to be able to identify what is occurring above, on, and below the surface of the ocean – including its chemistry, biology and physics. Presenters were able to describe how data is collected, aggregated, communicated and shared with local and international governing bodies through IoT and remote sensing for real-world, real-time decision making. NOAH Foundation perceives this development as a breakthrough for international cooperation and believes it to be a timely advancement in Cyber Diplomacy.

UN Ocean Decade Launches with NOAH Foundation Ready to Partner


June 01, 2021

The First International Ocean Decade Conference organized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) took place as a virtual High-Level Launch of the UN “Ocean Decade”. The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth and central to the survival of nature and humankind, United Nations Decade of Ocean Science has engaged top speakers such as Anja Karliczek, Wavel Ramkalawan, and Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin to share with conference participants the urgent need for projects and collaboration to meet a decade’s worth or sustainable project and their outcomes. Over the course of one year the UN “Ocean Decade” initiative aims to drive seven Laboratories around the globe who will use a diverse range of Satellite Activities on the path to “Creating the Ocean We Want”. The Ocean Decade Laboratories connect diverse actors worldwide to co-design Decade Action.

AI for Earth Summit Shares Planetary Computer with Grant Recipients


May 24- 26, 2021

Microsoft’s AI for Earth Community gathered for its bi-annual Digital Summit. Primary grantee, Isadora Detres, CEO of NOAH Foundation, was personally invited to attend the review of enhancements to Azure tools, learn the latest in machine learning services and observe project highlights from Ming Zhong & Felipe Oviedo in their use of Microsoft’s Planetary Computer. The processing power behind the Planetary Computer was built with the goal of supporting sustainable decision-making with the power of the cloud. It is a multi-petabyte catalog of global environmental data with intuitive API’s enabling the hands of conservation stakeholders. The walkthrough was complete with a demonstration from Esri and NOAA.

Shaping and Sharing AI Policies Globally For 2021 and Beyond


May 05, 2021

OECD collaborated with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) over Zoom to discuss Artificial Intelligence and walkthrough the OECD website. Policymakers and the UN community will be consumers of the website and can read and consume the material or contribute to the website for enhancing rules and workflow which support human values, fairness, privacy, safety and accountability in societies worldwide. Isadora Detres, CEO of NOAH Foundation was able to personally thank Marko Grobelnik in his demonstration of the many features and links available on the new website, which he shared during his address entitled “OECD AI Policy Observatory”.

Operationalizing Responsible AI and Transatlantic Cooperation


April 26-30, 2021

The five day Data Science and Law Forum, is the 3rd edition for Microsoft European Affairs sessions to be hosted from Brussels. The forum provided a robust and week long agenda to highlight topics like “Building a culture and practice of responsible AI” and “Responsible AI in Engineering”. The plenary sessions, hosted virtually, welcomed Dr. Bajwa who discussed the use for technology enabled healthcare and David Marcos who addressed AI compliance by design. Other passionate presenters were featured and brought their insights to this space for collective reflection as industry experts focus to develop ethical and trustworthy AI.

Swiss FemTech Leaders Invite DAAFNE App Designer To Tech4Eva


April 21, 2021

Isadora Detres, CEO of NOAH Foundation personally invited to attend the first Swiss FemTech acceleration program hosted by Tech4Eva. The discussion panel led by Sopie Revaz, covered the topic of women’s health and the impact on the world economy and sciences. Ursula Oesterle addressed early stage FemTech start-ups and inspired attendees of the accelerator program with her message for why innovation in FemTech is not only important but also a growth market opportunity. Finally Alois Zwinggi, Managing Director of the WEF, introduced projects in the Accelerator program which will have the opportunity to refine their business model and get guidance with their go-to market strategy. Ms. Detres is currently working on an application called DAAFNE in support of Reduced Inequalities (UNSDG 10) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (UNSDG 16). She is currently seeking both financial donors and development partners interested in sponsoring the application. Click here to donate.

Esri and Microsoft Sharing Insights with NOAH Foundation Leadership


December 04, 2020

Richard Budden lead the conference by opening with a review of McKinsey Global Institute’s report on Smart Cities where data is used to improve quality of life for residents. Proper planning by the government, plus its incorporation of GIS, are components that provide use cases to measure and correct negative impacts upon people, infrastructure, and the environment: all three are essential to foster healthy civic life. The demonstration of new digital precision tools, by the General Manager for Esri Europe, assisted end users with envisioning how to run a basic project on a reasonable budget while managing what PMI professionals call the triple constraint.

Trademark Awarded for Water Quality Improvement Service


August 04, 2020

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has approved the application for and granted the trademark of Machines Artificially Identifying Debris Bionic Technology Leveraging Electronic Requests ®. MAID and BTLER are programs offered by NOAH Foundation. In its 2020 USPTO Progress and Potential Report, data indicates several major findings such as the number of patents with at least one woman inventor increased from 20.7% in 2016 to 21.9% by the end of 2019. The report also communicates the “Women Inventor Rate” (WIR), (the share of U.S. inventors receiving patents who are women) increased from 12.1% in 2016 to 12.8% in 2019. More women are entering and staying active in the patent and trademark system. Their participation is opening new commercial markets and bringing new solutions to old and recurring problems.

Esri Hosts World's Largest GIS Conference,
NOAH Foundation Front and Center


July 13, 2020

The 2020 Esri User Conference (Esri UC) extended an interactive and online experience to its Geographic Information System (GIS) community which includes NOAH Foundation’s CEO Isadora Detres. She describes Esri tools as “World Class for geospatial solutions” and lauds top leadership as “Visionaries dissecting Microsoft Azure Arc capabilities”. The Conference from July 13-16, 2020 covered various topics within Esri’s core services such as Emergency Services, Sustainability Planning, and Transportation solutions. New to their menu of GIS tools are offerings for Supply Chain and Logistics, plus Health and Human Services. ArcGIS experts covered not only what is new and available for 2020 but what is next in their dynamic suite of applications.

Microsoft AI for Earth Summit Extends Invite to NOAH Foundation CEO


June 25, 2020

Microsoft welcomed CEO Isadora Detres who attended the two-day summit and educational experience. Content presented by Lucas Joppa, Dan Morris, Siyu Yang, Tucker Burns, Joel McCune and others covered the latest in machine learning technologies and tools on Azure. Attendees were largely AI for Earth grantees, pioneers in data science and developers. Teams shared best practices and latest technological insights to advance Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques that are facilitating an assortment of environmental projects and cutting-edge architectural models. Group leaders covered a host of questions and provided solutions on topics of interest to engineers, and Python or R data scientists.

NOAH Foundation Inclusion For Equality Can't Wait Challenge


June 16, 2020

Pivotal Ventures, Melinda French Gates' investment and incubation company, with additional support from MacKenzie Bezos, has announced the Equality Can't Wait Challenge. The 30 million dollar award is intended to accelerate the pace of progress for women in the United States to gain equality in decision making roles. The invitation was extended to women with innovative ideas, small businesses, enterprises as well as universities and the award is intended to provide financial support for their initiatives.

NOAH Foundation submitted their plan which would build upon its Microsoft AI for Earth Grant and Azure award. The funding in NOAH's proposal was allocated for hiring AI or ML engineers and data analysts who may not be traditionally hired in the field, but are equally qualified. The new hires are designated to perform roles on the MAID and BTLER applications, as well as other projects like DAAFNE and the PENSION Portal. Finally the proposal included moving from non-paid to paid internships for students at Temple University in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute ("IEI") at the Fox School of Business. The Equality Can't Wait Challenge program is not only to assist women in the US and their initiatives but in doing so, dismantle barriers, fast track women into critical sectors and secure project work in various communities nationwide to address inequality.

CEO, Isadora Detres and Microsoft Imagining the Future


June 02, 2020

Microsoft and Industry leaders met for a summit dedicated to thinking big about the critical role of artificial intelligence to help the world navigate through these unprecedented times. AI is proving its value in addressing massive change, disruption and unpredictability as well as enabling business continuity, greater agility and efficiencies. The interactive gathering brought together prominent leaders to discuss the extraordinary possibilities of AI and practical steps to drive lasting impacts. Top executives and experts who know what it takes to become an AI organization led discussions on the power of AI for manufacturing and supply chains, how AI is advancing health and medical services, Microsoft’s meaningful approach to responsible, inclusive, trusted AI and challenged attended organizations with a call to action for adaptation of introduced concepts while creating future AI solutions in their organization

Isadora Detres Receives Microsoft AI for Earth Grant


May 01, 2020

Founder of Emerald Tablet Consulting and CEO of NOAH Foundation, Isadora Detres has been awarded a grant from Microsoft as part of its ‘AI for Earth’ program. Ms. Detres submitted water sanitation specifications to both the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (which is now Earth Alliance) and National Geographic in their call for proposals Spring of 2019. The specifications were selected for further development and NOAH Foundation will use the grant to support the product design for a machine learning model that detects debris. Isadora's research leverages emerging technologies from both the United States Geological Society (USGS) and advanced network solutions from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NOAH Foundation was formed in 2019 as the Internet of Things presented itself as the primary way leadership will combat recurring climate change and environmental problems.

AI for Earth is a Microsoft program aimed at empowering individuals and organizations to solve local and global environmental challenges by increasing access to AI tools and educational opportunities, while accelerating innovation. The AI for Earth award program extends Azure for application design plus provides selected researchers and organizations, such as the NOAH Foundation, access to its cloud and AI computing resources to accelerate, improve and expand work on climate change, agriculture, biodiversity and/or water challenges. More information about AI for Earth can be found on the Microsoft AI for Earth website.

NOAH Foundation Partners with Temple University


December 31, 2019

CEO, Isadora Detres works with Temple University through its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute ("IEI") at the Fox School of Business. NOAH Foundation which formed in 2019, is a nonprofit that organized to serve both established corporations and start-ups participating in building Smart Cities, using Smart Grid technologies and the Internet of Things to implement green and sustainable solutions. Temple University and its entrepreneurship program is a "natural fit with NOAH Foundation's goals and high impact strategy" stated Kerry Slade, Assistant Professor and Assistant Academic Director of the IEI, and coordinator of the New Venture Internship program. "We are very grateful to organizations like NOAH for participating in our students' development." During the program, students who intern at NOAH Foundation assist with project work while expanding their skill sets to ensure a smooth transition from student life into the workforce.