Google’s non-profit arm launches AI accelerator to fund the next big thing

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Google.org, Google’s charitable arm, has unveiled a new initiative to support nonprofit organizations in harnessing the power of generative AI technology for impactful projects.

The Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI program is designed to help nonprofits develop new solutions to address pressing social challenges with the help of generative AI.

The report cites Google.org research, which revealed that four in five nonprofits believe generative AI could be relevant to their work, but only around half are using it.

Google.org AI accelerator

Google.org says the main challenges to AI adoption are a lack of tools, awareness, training, and funding. The six-month accelerator program is designed to support nonprofits in developing high-impact generative AI applications to address these challenges.

The selected projects will cover a wide range of social impact initiatives, including access to public benefits, educational support for underserved communities, misinformation and language translation for refugees.

The program’s participants will benefit from technical training, workshops, mentorship, and support from dedicated AI coaches. Google.org has also revealed more than $20 million in funding to support the projects undertaken by nonprofit participants. 

Annie Lewin, Director of Global Advocacy at Google.org, emphasized the potential of generative AI to empower social impact projects, stating: “Generative AI can help social impact teams be more productive, creative and effective in serving their communities. In fact, Google.org funding recipients report that AI helps them achieve their goals in one third of the time at nearly half the cost.”

When the technology first gained attention around 18 months ago, concerns were raised about its potentially uncontrollable power and its impact on the human workforce. However, Google.org’s accelerator program demonstrates how the world’s organizations can use AI for social good.

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