AI for Good: Key Insights from re:Invent 2024 on “AI for Humanitarian Aid”

At this year’s re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, our CEO Jacek Siadkowski was invited to participate in a high-level panel led by Sandra Topic, AWS AI for Good Lead, alongside humanitarian aid experts from the Tech To The Rescue community: Yevhen Barshchevskyi (ACAPS) and Alicia Morrison (Mercy Corps). Together, they delivered a powerful message: AI has transformative potential to amplify humanitarian outcomes, but collaboration between the tech sector and nonprofits is critical to unlock its full impact. 

The panel addressed two key audiences in the room: tech companies with the expertise to build impactful AI solutions and nonprofits with on-the-ground knowledge of the challenges that need solving. This session was a call to action to join forces, innovate, and create technology that accelerates social change.

Two use-cases for AI for Humanitarian Aid 

The need for effective humanitarian interventions is growing. With increasing global challenges—from natural disasters to refugee crises—organizations must be equipped with tools that allow them to act faster and more precisely. AI, when designed with purpose, enables nonprofits to:

• Predict crises and mitigate impact using data-driven insights.
• Streamline resources to improve response times and operational efficiency.
• Personalize aid to better serve vulnerable populations.

The two nonprofit organizations ACAPS and Mercy Corps presented their AI use-cases on stage, to inspire the tech community about the importance of their work and the challenges the sector faces. These solutions are currently being developed on a pro-bono or low-bono basis by socially engaged tech companies, as a part of the AI for Changemakers program led by Tech To The Rescue, with support from AWS and Google.com. Both use-cases are built on AWS infrastructure, combining multiple AWS services and tools available for builders in the AWS cloud and Bedrock framework. 

• Developed by ACAPS in collaboration with ALIO IT, SOPHIA is a cutting-edge tool that responds to the needs of humanitarian organizations to keep track of inputs coming from multiple sources and in various languages and turn these insights for better decision-making in a very short time. SOPHIA will leverage advanced data analysis and machine learning to assess large, complex datasets, enabling a faster and more accurate understanding of humanitarian crises. Designed to simplify access to actionable insights, SOPHIA bridges the gap for nonprofits lacking extensive data science expertise, offering them the power to make informed, timely decisions that save lives. 

• The AI Methods Matcher (AIMM), developed by Mercy Corps in collaboration with Cloudera, aims to empower humanitarian personnel to understand and apply AI without needing deep technical expertise. AIMM enables teams to independently explore analytical methods, tutorials, reports, and resources to discover how AI/ML technologies can solve real-world challenges. By simplifying access to AI knowledge and bridging the gap between technology and humanitarian needs, AIMM allows organizations with limited funding and technical staff to harness AI’s potential and enhance the effectiveness of their programs.

The discussion underscored that while nonprofits are deeply connected to the multiple crises happening on the ground,  they often lack access to the technical expertise needed to build AI-driven solutions that can revolutionize their impact, by shortening the data collection and analysis process and enabling them to take the decisions on the best intervention techniques. 

Tech Companies: Why You Should Partner with Nonprofits

The panelists emphasized that working on AI for Good solutions benefits tech companies as much as the nonprofits they serve. By collaborating with social impact organizations, tech companies can:

1. Leverage AI expertise for meaningful innovation: Developing solutions for humanitarian causes often pushes teams to solve complex, real-world problems, fostering creativity and purpose-driven innovation.
2. Drive employee engagement: Tech talent increasingly seeks opportunities to use their skills for good. Pro bono or collaborative AI projects provide a strong sense of purpose and help retain top talent.
3. Enhance reputation and leadership: Companies at the forefront of AI for Good not only align with ethical business practices but also lead the way in using technology to address some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

A highlight of the event was the first in-person meeting held by the AWS CTO Dr. Werner Vogels with selected nonprofit CTOs of organizations participating in the AI for Changemakers program. Launched in May at Viva Tech, the “Now Go Build CTO Fellowship” gives a unique opportunity to CTOs from tech-driven nonprofits to accelerate their leadership and impact. Meet the inaugural cohort of CTO Fellows here. 

Nonprofits: How can AI boost your impact?

Nonprofits often wonder where to begin with AI adoption. The panel offered clarity—the first step is identifying the most critical challenges you face and seeking partnerships with tech companies that can address them.

From predictive models for food shortages to automated data analysis for refugee tracking, AI applications are diverse and scalable. A standout example presented was an AI platform designed to analyze satellite imagery, enabling aid organizations to pinpoint communities most affected by natural disasters and prioritize intervention.

The message was clear: nonprofits do not need to become AI experts overnight. Instead, they should partner with organizations like Tech To The Rescue, which specialize in connecting nonprofits with tech teams eager to build solutions that maximize impact.

Collaboration Is Key: The AI for Good Movement

Throughout the panel, Jacek Siadkowski, CEO of Tech To The Rescue,  emphasized the importance of building a movement where technology and the impact sector work together continuously. AI for Good is not just a buzzword—it’s an imperative for the future. Tech companies and nonprofits must embrace cross-sector collaboration to ensure AI’s power is directed towards creating a better, fairer world.

For tech leaders, this is the time to ask: What legacy will we leave? For nonprofits, the question becomes: How can we dream bigger with AI in our toolbox?

Ready to Take Action?

So, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Join us on this journey to harness the power of AI for social good. Whether you’re a nonprofit looking to scale your impact, a tech company eager to make a difference, or a domain expert there’s a place for you in the AI for Changemakers Accelerator. Let’s build a future where technology is a force for positive change.

Find out more about the AI for Changemakers program at www.techtotherescue.org/ai-for-changemakers or contact us at [email protected].