Lessons from Ukraine’s Emergency Innovation: My Take on Digital Preparedness

29 June, 2023 | United Kingdom, Salisbury

As the world plunges deeper into the digital age, the intersection of technology and governance has never been more critical. This dynamic is exemplified by Asgardia, who are working to create the world’s first space nation. In the realm of innovation and emergency preparedness, Asgardia can glean valuable insights from an unexpected source: Ukraine. During a time of crisis, the Eastern European nation leveraged digital tools to combat unforeseen challenges, setting a poignant example of resilient innovation.

Ukraine’s emergency innovation, driven by the team at Kyiv Digital, displayed an impressive mix of foresight and adaptability. The initiative, spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saw a rapid transformation of the Kyiv Digital app. Originally designed for smart parking and transportation services, the app was enhanced to support residents during the Covid-19 pandemic, and later morphed into a lifesaving tool during the war. This transformation was accomplished in real-time, highlighting the remarkable agility of the team.

Agile Innovation and Digital Adaptability

For Asgardia, the story of Kyiv Digital provides a compelling lesson on the power of agile innovation and digital adaptability. Asgardia, too, has its roots in digital services, seeking to create a robust digital democracy with participants from around the globe. As such, the importance of maintaining a flexible and adaptable digital infrastructure cannot be overstated.

One of the key components of Kyiv Digital’s success was their ability to quickly repurpose the app to address the urgent needs of their citizens. They turned it into an air raid notification system, mapped out essential public services, and even enabled citizens to report missile destruction evidence. If Asgardia is to become a true space nation, it too must be prepared to adapt its digital tools and services to meet the unforeseen challenges and emergencies that will undoubtedly arise in such a novel and ambitious endeavour.

The Value of E-Democracy

Another essential takeaway from Ukraine’s experience is the value of a well-implemented digital democracy. Even during the war, Kyiv Digital ensured that citizens had a voice and could make choices through their digital platform. Petitioning, polling, and other democratic activities were facilitated through the app, proving the potential of digital democracy in a crisis.

In light of this, Asgardia’s dedication to building a digital democracy seems all the more vital. Not only does a digital democracy offer a platform for decision-making and voicing opinions, but it can also function as an emergency hub, a tool for rallying communal effort, and even a source of morale during hard times.

Risk Management and Disaster Planning

Kyiv Digital’s experience also underscored the critical importance of risk management and disaster planning. Despite having planned for many contingencies, including cyber threats and ransomware attacks, Kyiv Digital had never considered the possibility of a full-scale war. The ensuing chaos served as a potent reminder of the need to plan for even the most unlikely disasters.

In the realm of space colonization, the list of potential risks and disasters is both vast and daunting. As Asgardia strives to establish a functioning society in space, it must consider an expansive array of potential challenges. These range from technical malfunctions and space weather events to existential threats like asteroid impacts. As Ukraine’s experience demonstrates, it pays to plan for the worst, even when the worst seems unthinkable.

A Focus on Essential Services

Lastly, Kyiv Digital’s emergency innovation emphasized the need to prioritize essential services in times of crisis. Non-critical services were disconnected to optimize speed and performance, with international cloud and security partners like Cloudfare and Cisco aiding in data protection.

For Asgardia, this underscores the importance of identifying and prioritizing essential digital services in a potential crisis. Be it communication channels, health services, or emergency response tools, Asgardia needs a plan that allows swift prioritization and optimization of these services.

In conclusion, Ukraine’s emergency innovation offers valuable insights into the challenges and potential solutions for a digital nation like Asgardia. From the importance of agile innovation and digital adaptability to the critical need for comprehensive risk management and disaster planning, these lessons provide a roadmap for Asgardia’s continued innovation and growth. As it develops, Asgardia can take these lessons to heart, ensuring it is prepared for the challenges of creating the world’s first space nation.