Philanthropists, including tech billionaires and long-established foundations, are increasingly providing grants to address the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Much of this philanthropy focuses on “ethical AI,” which aims to mitigate the harmful effects of AI systems and explore the positive outcomes. While some believe AI can be used to predict climate disasters and revolutionize healthcare, others warn about its potential to disrupt jobs and fuel misinformation.
Tech billionaires, such as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy, have committed millions of dollars to AI grant programs. Their philanthropic venture, Schmidt Futures, aims to accelerate scientific research and support postdoctoral fellows applying AI to various fields. Similarly, the Patrick McGovern Foundation has prioritized AI and data science in its grantmaking, committing $40 million to help nonprofits use these technologies for the benefit of the environment, economic prosperity, and healthy communities.
Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, is another prominent donor who believes in the positive potential of AI. He has funded research centers at Stanford University and the University of Toronto, focusing on AI’s impact on healthcare and education.
However, not all tech billionaires share the same enthusiasm for AI. Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, takes a mixed approach through his philanthropic organization, the Omidyar Network. They support nonprofits using AI for scientific innovation while also advocating for data privacy protection and responsible regulation.
Foundations unaffiliated with the tech industry, such as the Ford, MacArthur, and Rockefeller foundations, are more skeptical about AI and fund projects examining its potential harmful effects. This includes research on racial and gender bias in facial recognition tools.
Overall, philanthropy plays a crucial role in shaping the future of AI by supporting projects and institutions with a focus on ethical use and positive outcomes. By providing grants, philanthropists aim to ensure that AI technologies contribute to human welfare and equity rather than solely creating profit-driven sectors.
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