The CEO of Tech to the Rescue, Yat Shovsky, discussed the importance of leveraging AI for social impact, emphasizing the role of “change makers” who need technology to scale their solutions. Through initiatives like Tech to the Rescue and AI for Change Makers, a movement is underway to connect tech companies with nonprofits, providing workshops, pro bono projects, and resources to empower nonprofits in various sectors and drive social impact through responsible AI practices.
The CEO of Tech to the Rescue, Yat Shovsky, discussed the importance of leveraging AI for social impact during a conference. He emphasized the role of “change makers,” individuals who understand social issues and need technology to scale their solutions. Yat shared the story of an investigative journalist, Paul, who used AI to create an app called Alf that helped journalists work more efficiently on organized crime cases. However, the challenge is that 93% of change makers lack technology resources to implement AI effectively.
Yat introduced a movement called Tech to the Rescue, which aims to connect tech companies with nonprofits to provide pro bono projects. The movement, supported by Google.org and AWS, launched a program called AI for Change Makers to empower nonprofits in education, crisis response, health, climate change, and economic growth. The program offers workshops, access to pro bono tech companies, AWS infrastructure, and opportunities to pitch ideas to donors, creating an ecosystem for social impact work.
The panelists, including representatives from Google, Salesforce, AWS, and Gates Foundation, discussed the tangible impact of AI in various sectors like climate, health, education, and agriculture. They highlighted the need for responsible AI practices and emphasized the importance of listening to community needs. Companies like AWS are offering grant programs, training initiatives, and technical support to help nonprofits leverage AI effectively. The goal is to bridge the gap between the potential of AI and the resources available to nonprofits.
The panelists also addressed challenges faced by nonprofits, such as limited access to data, lack of technical expertise, and funding constraints. They stressed the importance of collaboration between businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations to drive social impact initiatives. The role of businesses in providing data aggregation, technical support, and financial resources was highlighted as crucial for advancing AI for social good. The panelists encouraged businesses to support nonprofits in scaling their AI solutions and making a positive difference in society.
In conclusion, the panelists emphasized the need for a collective effort to make AI more accessible and impactful for nonprofits. They called for businesses to collaborate with nonprofits, provide resources and support, and actively listen to community needs. The message was clear: by working together, leveraging AI responsibly, and investing in social impact initiatives, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The invitation was extended to all to join the movement and contribute to making a positive difference in the world through AI for social good.