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Google Seeks To Grant $25 Million To AI For 'Good' Projects (reuters.com)

Posted by msmash on from the AI-for-good dept.

Alphabet's Google announced on Monday that it would grant about $25 million globally next year to humanitarian and environmental projects seeking to use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up and grow their efforts. The company said its efforts were not a reaction to the recent tech pushback. From a report: The "AI Impact Challenge" is meant to inspire organizations to ask Google for help in machine learning, a form of AI in which computers analyze large datasets to make predictions or detect patterns and anomalies. Google's rivals Microsoft and Amazon tout "AI for good" initiatives too. Focusing on humanitarian projects could aid Google in recruiting and soothe critics by demonstrating that its interests in machine learning extend beyond its core business and other lucrative areas, such as military work.

1 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. A few ideas... by ctilsie242 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    $25,000,000 is a drop in the bucket, but there are some things which can do a lot of good:

    1: Research into thermal depolymerization. Yes, this is energy intensive, but it actually gets plastic out of the environment completely.
    2: Better nuclear reactors. Combine with #1, and now you have ships that remove the pollution layer, and can bring usable, short-chain mineral oil to port to be converted into diesel or other uses.
    3: A guild for sysadmins and IT people. The "U" word is fraught. However, a guild where people get licenses, similar to plumbers, HVAC workers, and electricians. An electrician doesn't have Square-D certify them, for example. This way, someone with an apprentice/journeyman/master record actually has some real world certification behind them.
    4: I hate waxing political, but why not take the money for "The Wall" and turn it into a solar panel array spanning the US/Mexican border? Then sell the power to those on both sides of the line? This would make everyone happy... be it people who want a barrier, and people who want cheap, clean energy. All benefit. This would be similar to the Itipu Dam where both Brazil and Paraguay get power from, and well worth the investment.
    5: Toss some money for local culture and decent indie films.
    6: With all the fear and uncertainity about RedHat, perhaps Google should consider being the flagbearer, and make an enterprise-tier Linux distribution that is well maintained and supported?