Today, at the Tech To The Rescue Foundation, we are excited to announce the first Impact Cohort of the AI for Changemakers accelerator program, organized with support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google.org. This cohort features a selection of 9 nonprofits with outstanding achievements in Disaster Management, poised to scale up their interventions and amplify their impact through the use of AI.
What are the benefits for the nonprofits participating in the AI for Changemakers program?
As participants in the AI for Changemakers program, the selected nonprofit organizations will have access to a global network of mentors and AI innovators who have already joined the AI for Changemakers community.
The first phase of their acceleration consists of a 7-week AI Bootcamp. The AI Bootcamp for the first impact cohort (Disaster Management) starts in June 2024 and will be led by industry leaders such as IDEO, Netguru, and Speednet. The goal of the AI Bootcamp is to raise the tech and AI competencies of all participating nonprofits and to help them identify and scope innovative and valuable AI projects for their organizations.
In the second phase, they will enter the AI Sandbox Experience, where the Tech To The Rescue team will support them by matching each organization with tech companies specialized in AI willing to build AI solutions for nonprofits on a pro-bono basis. The pro-bono tech support is the core of the AI for Changemakers program, and we are excited to monitor and inspire the global disaster management community with custom AI innovations for the sector.
“Now Go Build CTO Fellowship” with dr. Werner Vogels, VP & CTO of Amazon.com
Today, on the stage of Viva Tech Conference in Paris, Dr. Werner Vogels, VP & CTO of Amazon.com, announced his new engagement in the AI for Changemakers program! CTOs and senior technical leaders from worldwide nonprofits and social impact businesses participating in the program will be eligible to benefit from mentorship sessions with dr. Werner Vogels and his team.
Participation in the accelerator is free of charge for all stakeholders.
Meet the first Impact Cohort: Disaster Management
This first cohort of the 3-yr accelerator program consists of 9 nonprofit organizations, that were selected by the Tech To The Rescue Team in accordance with program partners and goals, from a list of over 100 considered applicants from the field of disaster management. They were evaluated based on criteria such as track record, vision and motivation, team strength, and tech maturity.
World Institute on Disability (WID)
- WID has been removing barriers for people with disabilities globally for 50 years with the UN Office for Risk Reduction. They design emergency operations plans to ensure inclusive evacuations, sheltering and medical care.
- Future AI solutions include personalizing route planning, housing and medical support and communication to each individual’s needs.
- CADENA provides direct aid during the response and recovery stages of natural disasters. They educate individuals and spread awareness of those who need assistance most. They collect health, food security, shelter and vulnerable group data to monitor and assess the most vulnerable communities.
- They will be using AI to shorten the time needed for direct support and automate the scheduling of volunteers while personalizing support to the needs of specific communities.
Humanitarian Open Street Maps (HOT)
- HOT provides free open map data which revolutionizes disaster management, reduces risks, and contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Their tools are used by partners such as Red Cross societies, Médecins Sans Frontières, UN Agencies and Programmes, Government Agencies, local NGOs, and Communities.
- They develop open-source apps and tools for collaborative mapping and geospatial data collection. Map data allows for identifying at-risk populations from climate-related hazards such as severe storms, floods, prolonged droughts, sea level rise, and earthquakes enabling actions to mitigate the impacts of disasters.
Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR)
- GNDR is a global network of 800 civil society organisations in 129 countries. They ensure that civil society organizations effectively contribute to disaster risk reduction globally.
- They are creating comprehensive risk assessments, civic dashboards and community reporting tools help local governance manage urban disasters through real-time data sharing and analytics. AI will be used to process and interpret large data sets, improve decision making and influence policy in risk reduction.
- ACAPS helps humanitarian workers, influencers, fundraisers, and donors make better-informed decisions and respond more effectively to disasters. They monitor the globe daily and gather evidence on the humanitarian situation where they identify a crisis.
- ACAPS has developed its methodologies for ranking crisis severity and provides access to this data via API. It aims to combat misinformation, improve data accessibility and quality assessments, improve workflows and increase the quality of AI-based voice and chat capabilities.
- Disaster Tech Lab provides rapid response communication networks for use in disaster relief and humanitarian aid work. These include emergency communications, Incident command services, GIS and Disaster Mapping and Logistical Support.
- Disaster Tech Lab going to Automate internal processes with AI, build local network Wi-Fi applications with customized and personalized communication and decrease manual work required when deploying networks on-site.
- Start Network is made up of more than 90 NGOs globally creating a global humanitarian financing system focused on reducing risk, and acting ahead of predictable crises. They support communities in developing innovative solutions to humanitarian problems.
- They have integrated various innovations, including digital tools for managing crises and innovations at the community level using human-centered design. AI could help in managing data better, predicting crises, and automating responses to improve operational efficiency and decision-making processes.
- Shaqodoon addresses Somalia’s most urgent challenges in education and health, resiliency. Shaqodoon has a Centralized Warning System which alerts farmers of potential floods and increases the effectiveness of government and aid organizations.
- The Early Warning System collects and assesses data, initiates alerts, and enhances disaster preparedness and response. The system generates comprehensive data reports on a map for monitoring aiding SODMA HQ, and local communities. Shaqodoon is also developing speech-to-text solutions, enhancing maps through satellite images and providing location-based alerts.
- Mercy Corps takes on the consequences of conflict and climate changes scaling what works to achieve lasting, transformational change. They connect people across the globe to clean water, nutritious food, better economic opportunities, and more peaceful tomorrows.
- Mercy Corps enhances its operational effectiveness with digital cash programs and GIS for crisis response. AI can automate and streamline proposal development, and improve decision-making. Specific ideas include using AI for predictive analysis in agriculture and crisis response for better planning and resource allocation.
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 main page 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, Fast Forward, SoftwareOne, Monday.com, Admind 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].
For more information, feel free to contact us at [email protected]
