Today, the Tech To The Rescue Foundation is excited to reveal the second Impact Cohort of the AI for Changemakers Accelerator Program, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google.org. This cohort brings together 30 outstanding nonprofits dedicated to advancing climate action. These organizations have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective areas and are now poised to amplify their impact through innovative AI solutions.
What will the participating nonprofits gain from the AI for Changemakers program?
- Access to a global network of mentors and AI experts from the AI for Changemakers community.
- 7-week AI Bootcamp starting in September 2024, led by AWS, Google, IDEO, Netguru, focusing on enhancing tech and AI skills and scoping valuable AI projects.
- AI Sandbox Experience where participants will receive pro-bono support from tech companies to develop custom AI solutions.
- Customized AI innovations aimed at driving significant climate action on a global scale.
In the subsequent phase, participants will engage in the AI Sandbox Experience. Here, the Tech To The Rescue team will match selected organizations with tech companies specializing in AI, providing pro-bono support to develop customized AI solutions. This support is a cornerstone of the AI for Changemakers Program, and we are excited to see how these bespoke AI innovations will drive significant climate action on a global scale.
“Now Go Build CTO Fellowship” with Dr. Werner Vogels, VP & CTO of Amazon.com At the Viva Tech Conference 2024 in Paris, Dr. Werner Vogels, VP & CTO of Amazon.com, announced his involvement in the AI for Changemakers program. CTOs and senior technical leaders from the participating nonprofits will have the opportunity to benefit from mentorship sessions with Dr. Vogels and his team, adding valuable insights and guidance to the program.
Participation in the accelerator is free for all selected organizations.
Meet the Second Impact Cohort: Climate Action This second cohort of the 3-year accelerator program consists of 30 nonprofits selected by the Tech To The Rescue team, in consultation with program partners. Chosen from a pool of over 80 applicants, these organizations were evaluated based on their track record, vision, team strength, and technological readiness. They represent a diverse range of climate-focused initiatives, each ready to leverage AI for substantial environmental impact.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF 30 AMAZING ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE CLIMATE COHORT
1. Code for Africa (sensors.AFRICA + africanDRONE)
Code for Africa operates through two key initiatives: Sensors.Africa, a pan-African citizen science project monitoring pollution, and AfricaDRONE, which uses drone technology for environmental and disaster response data. These efforts empower citizens and local communities by providing actionable environmental data to improve urban living conditions.
AI plays a crucial role in advancing both projects, enhancing the collection and analysis of environmental data for better decision-making. With AI-driven tools, Code for Africa is improving the accuracy of pollution measurements and processing aerial data for more effective environmental monitoring.
2. Solar Sister
Solar Sister trains and supports women entrepreneurs to deliver clean energy solutions directly to homes in rural African communities. Through their efforts, they have empowered around 6,000 entrepreneurs, impacting 3.5 million people by fostering local businesses and providing essential energy services.
Solar Sister’s AI ambitions involve using natural language processing and personalized recommendations to improve the effectiveness of their solar entrepreneurs. They aim to enhance sales strategies and accessibility for their network of women-led businesses.
3. Root Capital
Root Capital focuses on supporting agricultural enterprises to foster inclusive and resilient rural communities. They provide loans and support to smallholder farmers, significantly impacting 10 million farmers through $1.6 billion in loans. Their initiatives address key issues such as climate change, gender inequality, and poverty.
To advance their mission, Root Capital is developing AI-driven mobile training tools, chatbots to reduce operational overhead, and climate data analysis methods to tailor farming practices. These AI innovations aim to enhance agricultural efficiency and resilience.
4. Partnership for Southern Equity
The Partnership for Southern Equity promotes racial equity and shared prosperity across the American South by addressing systemic barriers and advocating for inclusive policies. They have allocated $50 million to support vulnerable communities, driving significant progress toward social justice and equity.
Their AI ambitions include using technology to streamline funding access, map energy burdens, and connect people with climate-positive projects. They are also focused on leveraging data-driven storytelling and improving community representation through AI.
5. Polish Humanitarian Action
Polish Humanitarian Action (Polska Akcja Humanitarna – PAH) is a Polish non-governmental organisation that has been operating for over 30 years. Its mission is to aid the people affected by armed conflicts, climate crises, and natural disasters all over the world. PAH is dedicated to creating vital infrastructure, introducing innovative solutions, and developing humanitarian and development aid programs aligned with actual human needs, all while respecting people’s dignity and the natural environment. PAH innovative approach in Kenya focuses on water food security and Disaster Risk Reduction.
6. WeRobotics
WeRobotics empowers local experts in drone, data, and AI technologies to solve community-based challenges. Their innovative model localizes technology use in various regions, creating community-driven solutions in sectors like agriculture and disaster management.
For example, Uganda Flying Labs uses AI and drones for crop health monitoring, while Senegal Flying Labs focuses on waterfowl population tracking for conservation. AI tools enhance these efforts, improving both precision and efficiency across sectors.
7. Morning Star Foundation
Morning Star facilitates the transfer of technological resources from tech companies to nonprofits, boosting operational efficiency through pro bono technology. They have trained 500 Nigerian youth in solar drying and charcoal briquette machinery, significantly enhancing technological capacity for nonprofits.
Their AI focus includes using tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly for proposal writing and grammar improvement. They also plan to expand their AI applications to include data analysis, fundraising, and internal project management.
8. Justdiggit
Justdiggit is dedicated to regenerating degraded land through cost-effective and scalable methods, enhancing carbon sequestration and farmer livelihoods. They have restored over 60,000 hectares of land, significantly contributing to land regeneration efforts.
The organization is exploring AI to develop a recommendation engine for personalized farming advice, automated satellite impact assessments, and tailored map recommendations. These advancements aim to enhance their land restoration and support efforts.
9. Reboot The Future
Reboot The Future focuses on integrating climate change education into UK classrooms through a network of 19,000 teachers. Their initiatives aim to foster a culture of sustainability and leadership among students, significantly expanding climate education’s reach.
Their AI ambitions include personalizing educational resources, supporting student engagement with digital tools, and improving local politician engagement on climate issues. They aim to enhance educational impact and advocacy through AI-powered solutions.
10. Reap Benefit
Reap Benefit empowers young people in India to address local climate and civic challenges through innovative problem-solving and community-driven solutions. Their initiatives have engaged over 121,000 participants and generated 560,000 crowdsourced data points.
They are developing an AI-driven virtual mentor to provide personalized support to young change-makers, enhancing engagement and problem-solving skills. Their goal is to address skills and language gaps by converting materials into more accessible formats.
11. Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)
GAIA Asia Pacific promotes zero-waste solutions and community-driven waste management across the region. They support over 800 grassroots groups in combating waste and advocating for sustainable practices.
Their AI ambitions include developing chatbots for waste management advice, citizen reporting tools with geolocation and image recognition, and advanced data analysis for waste assessments. These tools aim to improve waste management strategies and enhance environmental outcomes.
12. Africa Policy Research Private Institute
APRI amplifies African voices in European policy discussions, focusing on climate, energy, and social justice. Their work influences European policies and fosters strategic dialogues on global issues.
APRI is developing an AI data platform for processing policy documents, using NLP algorithms for policy scraping, and creating databases for strategic mineral reserves and clean energy policies. These AI tools aim to enhance their policy advocacy and influence.
13. White Helmets
White Helmets provides rescue, health, and climate services in crisis situations, expanding early warning systems and deploying drones for real-time data collection. Their mission is to save lives and protect communities in challenging environments.
They are integrating AI to enhance early warning systems, improve forecasting capabilities, and utilize AI-powered sensors and drones for climate data collection. This technology aims to support more effective crisis response and disaster management.
14. All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI)
AIDMI works to reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change through anticipatory actions and scalable programs. Their initiatives include micro-insurance and school safety programs, impacting thousands of students and staff.
Their AI ambitions involve digitizing records, enhancing hazard analysis with satellite imagery, and developing climate adaptation strategies. These efforts aim to improve disaster risk reduction and build community resilience.
15. ClimateCulture
ClimateCulture aims to foster collective and systemic climate action by creating a comprehensive online hub for climate engagement. Their efforts include festivals, a streaming platform, and an Action Hub, expanding their influence and reach.
They plan to use AI to personalize user journeys, scrape reputable sources for climate actions, and enhance user engagement with tailored pathways. This approach aims to drive collective climate action and improve user involvement.
16 Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA)
The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) tackles the global crisis of polluting cooking fuels, which affects nearly one-third of the world’s population and contributes to significant health and environmental issues. CCA works with partners worldwide to innovate and accelerate access to clean cooking solutions.
CCA is driving innovation by developing AI-powered tools, such as the Smart User Insights Hub, for stakeholders to engage with clean cooking research and data. They are also utilizing AI for streamlining research processes, including automating data extraction from reports and generating business insights for clean cooking solutions.
17. Africa E-Mobility
Africa E-Mobility supports the transition to electric vehicles across Africa, aiming to guide policy and business models through a comprehensive data portal. Their work is crucial in advancing sustainable transport solutions continent-wide.
They plan to use AI for simulations, scenario modeling, and financial modeling tools. These tools will support policy development, fleet management, and investment strategies, driving the shift towards electric mobility.
18. Replant World
Replant World focuses on native forest restoration led by indigenous communities, using blockchain for transparency in their efforts. They have planted 54,000 saplings and are scaling their restoration activities.
Their AI ambitions include measuring biodiversity, verifying tree planting with image recognition, and building an educational encyclopedia of tropical forests. These innovations aim to enhance their conservation and restoration efforts.
19 ICEADDIS
ICEADDIS fosters innovation in Ethiopia by supporting startups, with a focus on youth job creation and women’s empowerment. Their initiatives have expanded to include various tech and climate-focused projects.
They plan to integrate AI with IoT to improve farming practices, streamline supply chains, and enhance irrigation. AI will also be used for internal project management and lead tracking, supporting further innovation and impact.
20. Green Cross United Kingdom
Green Cross addresses environmental and poverty challenges through renewable energy projects and sustainable infrastructure. Their significant contributions include developing 5,000 MW of renewable energy and converting 1 million acres to sustainable agriculture.
They are exploring AI for sustainability management, compliance monitoring, and greenwashing detection. By integrating AI with IoT data, they aim to enhance their sustainability practices and provide actionable insights.
21. Fundația ADEPT Transilvania
Fundația ADEPT Transilvania is dedicated to preserving the biodiversity of Transylvania’s farmed landscapes and supporting rural communities in maintaining these ecosystems. They have worked for nearly two decades to ensure that local farming practices are sustainable and economically viable.
Their AI initiatives include developing apps to support farmers with real-time data for better decision-making. They also use AI to protect endangered habitats by distinguishing between various grassland types, helping to safeguard Transylvania’s unique biodiversity.
22. CLASP
CLASP improves the energy efficiency of everyday appliances to help combat climate change. Their work addresses the energy consumption of household devices, which accounts for a significant portion of global carbon emissions.
The organization leverages AI to streamline internal processes, from budget analysis to language support for non-native English speakers. These AI initiatives reduce operational overhead and improve organizational efficiency in their climate-focused efforts.
23. Climate Strategies Poland
Climate Strategies Poland advocates for robust climate policies and sustainable development within Poland, aligning with EU standards. Their work focuses on influencing policy and promoting sustainable practices.
They are using AI for policy analysis and social media sentiment analysis to gauge public opinion on climate-related policies. These AI tools aim to enhance their advocacy and influence.
24. Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (CRIES)
CRIES is a network of research institutions and NGOs that advances civil society’s role in public policy across Latin America and the Caribbean. They focus on economic, political, and social issues, driving advocacy for sustainable development.
CRIES is using AI tools to analyze environmental data, integrating satellite imagery with machine learning for monitoring climate risks like deforestation and floods. These AI solutions help CRIES improve the quality of environmental advocacy and response in the region.
25. Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)
WOTR, based in India, focuses on enhancing climate resilience in rural communities by improving water security, agriculture, and livelihoods. Their efforts span across thousands of villages, positively impacting millions of lives by regenerating degraded landscapes and improving farm productivity.
AI is central to their future strategies, with plans to use AI for real-time farm advisories and pest outbreak forecasts. These tools will increase agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
26. Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA)
SPDA protects environmental rights and biodiversity in Peru through legal advocacy. Their mission includes ensuring that communities dependent on nature have their rights upheld while promoting sustainable development.
SPDA leverages AI and drone technology to monitor illegal activities like deforestation and mining. Their AI models also predict environmental risks and track endangered species, aiding in law enforcement and environmental protection efforts.
27. LIFE FROM WATER
LIFE FROM WATER addresses the need for clean water and sanitation facilities in underserved, remote, and rural areas. They have delivered clean water to 200,000 individuals, significantly improving access to essential resources.
Their AI strategy focuses on optimizing water purification processes and managing water distribution networks. These AI applications are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their water solutions.
28. Food Rescue Hero
Food Rescue Hero tackles food waste, food insecurity, and climate change through a tech-driven platform that coordinates the redistribution of fresh food to those in need. The platform has already redirected millions of pounds of food, mitigating significant carbon emissions.
They are developing AI vision models to improve food classification and tracking, enabling more accurate CO2 savings calculations. These AI tools will expand their global reach, increasing their impact on food waste and hunger reduction.
29. Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management
Cecic is dedicated to environmental education and promoting sustainable development in local communities. Their initiatives aim to raise environmental awareness and encourage action, having educated 15,000 students through their programs.
They plan to use AI for delivering personalized educational content and tracking engagement to improve program outcomes. This approach is designed to enhance the effectiveness of their environmental education efforts and increase community involvement.
30. eKutir
eKutir enhances rural livelihoods in India by providing smallholder farmers with digital tools and information to improve agricultural practices. Their platform offers services like crop management and market access, empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions.
eKutir is developing AI-powered tools to improve climate resilience and soil management. They are also creating conversational AI solutions to assist farmers with real-time, tailored advice, boosting productivity and sustainability in rural farming communities.
How can your organization get engaged in the AI for Changemakers program?
For Nonprofits
The AI for Changemakers program welcomes applications from nonprofits from 4 more impact areas: climate, health, education, and job opportunity. Find the Application Timeline for each cohort on the program’s website and register to apply for the program as a nonprofit organization.
For Tech Companies
Tech companies willing to join the movement and support nonprofits with pro-bono AI solutions are encouraged to register and join the program on an ongoing basis. Register as a tech leader or tech team, and you will automatically join a global and vibrant AI for Changemakers community on Discord and get to know first about the organizations selected for the program.
For Partners/ Sponsors
Tech To The Rescue Foundation is also building a strong network of partners and sponsors for the AI for Changemakers program. Today, we are thrilled to have reputable world-class partners that will contribute in multiple ways to the program. The partner network includes Clutch, TrustLaw (A Thompson Reuters Foundation), CyberPeace Institute, Ashoka, UN Women, IDEO, Netguru, 10 Clouds/ AI Console, Speednet, Globant, Omdena, Lenovo, Fast Forward, SoftwareOne, Monday.com and FTI Consulting, and our program sponsors AWS and Google.org. To join us as a partner or sponsor, please get in touch at [email protected].
Subject matter consultant: Marzena Milanowska, Konrad Pabiańczyk