AWS Pioneers Project

AWS’s cloud infrastructure has been the foundation of the project, along with some of Amazon’s key hardware and software innovations.

“We have integrated Amazon Alexa voice assistants to offer an accessible and easy-to-use interface, alongside other supported devices. These devices help older adults with daily tasks, provide access to information, and help them to stay connected with loved ones, reducing isolation and unwanted loneliness”, explains Sandra Pedraza Patilla, Chief Information Officer at Cruz Roja. The devices remind older people of relevant events in their lives, as well as providing access to information and entertainment.

“The technology we have developed on AWS infrastructure and Amazon Alexa has a real human impact,” says Pedraza.

The project has also made use of AWS’s IoT (Internet of Things) services. “The implementation of IoT devices has been essential for real-time monitoring of health and well-being. Connected sensors and devices allow continuous and proactive monitoring, enabling quick responses to emergencies and promoting a safer, more autonomous life,” she says. Underlying the whole project is AWS’s cloud. “Without cloud computing, it wouldn’t have been possible to integrate and manage the services sustaining our initiatives efficiently."

"Unlike on-premise infrastructure, where servers are tangible, the cloud is more abstract. To overcome this, we began by teaching our team and stakeholders about the cloud’s benefits and functionality, using simple analogies and practical examples. The AWS team dedicated to non-profit organizations provided ongoing guidance, helping us understand best practices and design an effective strategy.”

And all the hard work setting it up brought many benefits. The first was speed. Integration of cloud computing has made it twice as quick to get the project up and running, and the vast infrastructure behind it means that the organization can quickly scale computing resources according to demand, something that is crucial in emergencies. “The cloud frees us from managing hardware, allowing us to focus on our main activities. It also ensures our data and applications are stored in secure, redundant environments, improving resilience,” she says.

She would have no hesitation in recommending cloud computing to other non-profits. “It has offered us a unique opportunity to instantly scale our services to meet demand without the need for significant infrastructure investments. Additionally, it has helped us innovate, providing access to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, all under a pay-as-you-go model,” she says. And when it comes to understanding how to get the best out of cloud technology, she likens the tools available in the cloud to those that make a regular house smarter. “Today, many new constructions incorporate smart home technology to optimize consumption, control energy, and manage lighting or security from a single system; in the cloud, there are tools to manage all resources and thus optimize their use.”

She has no doubt that AI and cloud computing is a partnership that has huge potential to address social issues in the future, in both health and education.

“AI helps improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, personalize health plans, and predict disease outbreaks. The cloud allows access to educational resources from anywhere, democratizing education.”

Cruz Roja will continue to expand its use of AI. “Regarding future projects, we are focused on several key initiatives, such as using voice assistants and the Internet of Things to develop new services that can anticipate and respond to the needs of older adults more proactively,” she said. As with all new technology, she sees a future of continued innovation, but one that always puts the human first. “Our focus is to continue innovating and leveraging AWS’s capabilities to offer more efficient, secure, and personalized services, always with the goal of improving our users' quality of life.”