According to MIT Solve, peace and stability are baseline conditions for economic prosperity and a thriving society, and both are at risk with escalating conflicts and economic shocks. Instability and conflict can severely erode economic prospects, reverse years of development gains, and exacerbate vulnerabilities. Technology and innovation can be powerful tools to promote peace and prosperity. Social media has increased misinformation and polarization, but when well designed, it also improved cohesion and civic participation and reduced the odds of violent conflict. Similarly, while technology can lead to more precarity, it can also facilitate more inclusive financial systems, new job opportunities, and more resilience. Ethically designing and implementing technology is a key component of building and maintaining more peaceful communities and inclusive economies.

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions leveraging technology to increase peace and prosperity. The 2024 focus centers on solutions that: promote and sustain peace by increasing community dialogue, civic participation, reconciliation, and justice efforts; strengthening cyber security, and monitoring or preventing violence, misinformation, and polarization; foster financial and digital inclusion by supporting access to credit, digital identity tools, and insurance while securing privacy and personal data; and generate new economic opportunities and buffer against economic shocks for workers, including good job creation, workforce development, and inclusive and attainable asset ownership.

Applicants selected to become a Solver team and join the nine-month support program, receive a $10,000 grant, join a powerful network of impact-minded leaders, receive coaching and strategic advice from experts, and gain exposure in the media, among many other benefits.