A Slice of AI
Never talk to an AI about pi. It goes on forever.
Aside from launch day for this newsletter, March 14 is notable for many reasons: it's Pi Day, Albert Einstein's birthday, and 7/11 sells whole pizzas for $3.14.
Hi! I'm Kevin Barenblat, co-founder of Fast Forward. Welcome to AI for Humanity, a piece of the π in the vast world of artificial intelligence. In my career, I've worked across tech — from startup to big tech and VC. I've ridden the waves of the internet, mobile tech, and social media. What we're seeing with AI feels bigger than all of these.
Fast Forward’s focus on bringing more tech to our most pressing problems has led us to dig deep into AI. Amidst the extremes of AI optimism and doomsaying, we've noticed a gap in coverage: the stories of the builders. AI-powered nonprofits (APNs) are building tech to do more than just promise a brighter tomorrow — they're actually coding it into existence today.
I have two goals with this newsletter. First, I want to fill the space between high-level discourse about what AI might mean for the future and granular discussions about vector databases and RAG. And I want to help the social sector take full advantage of the evolving AI landscape to make our world a little bit better.
The trajectory of AI — and how it benefits humanity — will depend on the choices we make today. It's going to take all of us working together to get there. We look forward to your feedback, and if you enjoy this newsletter, please share it to help grow this community.
After all, AI shouldn’t just benefit a select few. If we slice it up right, there should be enough good for everyone (last pun for today).
Einstein in Your Pocket
Tech nonprofit enthusiast and friend Sal Khan joined Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger on the Possible podcast to discuss Khan Academy’s venture into AI, Khanmigo. Built on GPT-4, it's the tutor we all wished we had as we fumbled with TI-89s. Throughout the lively discussion, topics ranged from equity in education to OpenAI to Sal’s brief stint as a singer in a heavy metal band. The Khanmigo story is sure to be a seminal milestone for the "AI for humanity" history books. Listen to it here.
+ Another win for education: AI-powered nonprofit Quill.org announced its new “AI for Society” curriculum, which infuses AI literacy concepts into its reading and writing tool.
“Even though it’s called ‘artificial intelligence,’ it’s made by people. It’s built by people. It’s deployed by people.” - Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute and “Godmother of AI”
By the People, For Their People
Not all AI use cases are obvious at first (moonwalkers?). In MIT Tech Review, Selena Deckelmann, CPTO at the Wikimedia Foundation, offers a nuanced strategy for addressing Wikipedia's evolving challenges with AI. To preserve human perspectives amidst the surge in AI-generated content, she’s focused on building AI tools for contributors, editors, and moderators to make their work easier. Deckelmann's approach is a blueprint for making AI work for humanity, not the other way around.
+ Wikimedia is not alone: According to Inspiring Action: Identifying the Social Sector AI Opportunity Gap, many nonprofits are already thoughtfully leveraging AI, and more can be done. Check out the report from Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and Project Evident.
“Similar to how we think about biases, misinformation, and AI hallucinations today, our attention will focus on data that feeds the algorithms – the faces behind the data. After all, the input of AI determines its output. Addressing the ethics of data sourcing and understanding its implications…will ensure that every individual contributing to this ecosystem benefits from AI and is empowered by it.” – Vivek Seshadri, Co-Founder and CTO of Karya [more in my byline in Future of Good]
Harnessing AI's Superpower
Much of the discourse around “AI for good” is about mitigating potential risks of AI in the future (we should do that). But we also need to push ourselves to think about how we leverage this moment to solve big problems we face today. How can we see AI improve life for communities who have been left behind? Our answer: AI-powered nonprofits. In TriplePundit, I wrote a response to the announcement that the White House was backing AI for the public interest alongside a $200M pledge from a coalition of leading funders. It's like Silicon Valley’s version of assembling a superhero team for social good — finally, a mission we can all get behind.
+ Not everyone wants to close the digital gap: Gramhal is facing backlash for providing crucial price data to Indian farmers. Don’t worry…they’re fighting back.
Quick Bytes
APNs to Watch
Climate Policy Radar
📍 London, England | 🌍 Climate Solutions
Uses data and machine learning to map and analyze the global climate policy landscape.The Shotline
📍 Washington D.C. | 🏛 Gun Control
Calls lawmakers with AI-generated audio messages that feature the voices of gun violence victims, pushing them to pass stricter gun control laws.Reboot Rx
📍Boston, MA | 💉Access to Healthcare
Fast-tracks the development of affordable cancer treatments using repurposed generic drugs and AI technology.
APN Funding News
My Fast Forward co-founder Shannon Farley rounded up some of the visionary philanthropy leaders making AI for humanity a reality in Forbes. Their insights are exciting and hopeful.
Patrick J. McGovern Foundation awarded $66.4M to advance AI and data solutions that center people and purpose.
Robin Hood launched the AI Poverty Challenge with up to $4M in awards — applications are open through May 10, 2024.
Google.org, Sequoia Climate Foundation, Schmidt Futures, and more join forces to back London-based APN in their latest round of funding.
The U.S. National Science Foundation and philanthropic partners announced $16M in funding to prioritize ethical and social considerations in emerging tech.
Let’s Talk
I’m living and breathing AI for humanity these days. If you are too, let’s talk!
Link Library
AI for Humanity Speaker Bureau (good AI speakers for your events)
Thank you, Kevin, for starting this newsletter. Currently, there exists a huge gap in reporting and knowledge creation about how non-profits can embrace AI in their work. I am hopeful that this newsletter will fill that space and provide everyone a good food for thought. Looking forward.
Good points. And I think it's fair to question the typically dystopian view of AI's impact. A tool's worth is determined by how it's wielded. Kudos on the launch of this series -- excited to see where you take it!