A coalition of ten philanthropic foundations has announced the launch of a significant new initiative called Humanity AI, committing $500 million over the next five years to redirect the development of artificial intelligence (AI) toward serving human needs. Spearheaded by the MacArthur Foundation and Omidyar Network, this ambitious effort aims to provide a counterbalance to the predominantly profit-driven motives that currently guide major technology companies in developing AI technologies. The coalition's overarching goal is to ensure that advancements in AI foster human flourishing and societal well-being, rather than focusing solely on efficiency and corporate gains. Humanity AI will focus its resources and efforts on five critical domains: democracy, education, artistic protection, work, and personal security. These areas have been identified as key points where AI has both tremendous potential for positive impact and significant risks if left unchecked. By supporting initiatives and organizations working within these sectors, the coalition hopes to help shape AI development in ways that promote equity, transparency, inclusiveness, and ethical considerations. Among the organizations receiving grants through Humanity AI are the National Black Tech Ecosystem Association and AI Now at New York University (NYU). These groups are recognized for their work in addressing issues such as representation in technology, ethical AI research, and the societal impacts of artificial intelligence. The inclusion of a diverse range of grantees reflects the coalition's commitment to uplifting civil society and ensuring that perspectives from marginalized communities are incorporated into the AI development process. In addition to the MacArthur Foundation and Omidyar Network, the coalition includes other philanthropic giants such as the Ford Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, and Mellon Foundation. These foundations bring considerable resources and experience to the partnership and underscore a collective commitment to fostering more ethical and inclusive innovation in AI technology. The coalition highlights the need for strategic collaboration and investment to help guide AI toward outcomes that benefit society broadly rather than a narrow set of interests. One of the critical motivations behind Humanity AI's efforts is widespread concern about negative consequences associated with AI technologies. These include job displacement caused by automation, the proliferation of misinformation enabled by deepfake technologies, and the concentrated power and influence of large corporations in setting the direction of AI research and deployment. By addressing these challenges head-on, Humanity AI seeks to promote safeguards, policy, and development practices that protect individual rights and societal values. The coalition emphasizes the importance of increasing both capital investment and cooperative efforts across sectors to support civil society organizations. In doing so, Humanity AI hopes to foster a future where AI technologies empower communities, enhance democratic processes, enrich educational opportunities, protect creative expression, ensure fair labor practices, and safeguard personal security. As AI continues to evolve rapidly and shape multiple aspects of daily life, Humanity AI’s initiative represents a proactive and values-driven approach to ensuring that technological progress aligns with human-centered goals. The coalition’s launch serves as a clarion call for more inclusive, ethical, and socially responsible AI innovation, seeking to transform how artificial intelligence is developed and integrated into society for the betterment of all.
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