Organizations are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics to optimize operations, automate routine tasks and improve their reach. But non-profit organizations are also using AI to drive social impact.
Here are some ways nonprofits use AI and data analytics for social good, addressing, among other issues, food insecurity, poverty, education inequality and climate change.
EXPLORE: AI and other non-profit technology solutions.
Predictive Analytics Helps Fight Food Insecurity
Nonprofit organizations use predictive analytics to predict weather conditions, seasonal crops, economic conditions and more. AI can predict where a food shortage could occurgiving teams a chance to resolve challenges sooner. This approach allows IT managers to strategically allocate aid and prevent crises before they get worse.
The World Food Program, for example, uses predictive analytics to identify regions at high risk of food insecurity. The organization tested a machine learning tool that can predict hunger trends up to 60 days in advance.
“This innovative approach lays the foundations for data driven early warning system designed to anticipate and detect deteriorations in food security,” explains Kyriacos Koupparis, head of the early warning and forecasting unit at WFP, in an interview with the World Food Program USA. “It will provide early warnings, enable rapid and targeted response and help save lives, livelihoods and limited financial resources. »
AI offers deeper insight into poverty mapping
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation uses Driven by AI predictive mapping to identify poverty hotspots. By analyze large data setsincluding economic indicators, health metrics and infrastructure data, policymakers can forecasts where poverty is likely to increase. This allows nonprofits to target their interventions so that resources go directly to the communities that need them most.
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AI offers deeper insight into poverty mapping
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation uses Driven by AI predictive mapping to identify poverty hotspots. By analyze large data setsincluding economic indicators, health metrics and infrastructure data, policymakers can forecasts where poverty is likely to increase. This allows nonprofits to target their interventions so that resources go directly to the communities that need them most.
Data Analytics Eliminates Education Inequalities
Teach for All uses global network data analysis improve educational outcomes in low-income areas. The non-profit association helps children realize their full potential by generating evidence-based ideas on student performance, attendance and engagement. This approach helps educators tailor educational programs to the specific needs of students.
AI satellites can detect social injustice before it gets worse
Organizations such as Amnesty International also use AI satellite imagery detect patterns of violence, discrimination and repression in real time.
AI tools facilitate monitoring human rights violations and social injustice so that nonprofit leaders can respond to emerging crises, raise awareness, and advocate for policy change. With the help of his Evidence LaboratoryAmnesty can also investigate complex human rights issues.
RELATED: Making “justice for all” a reality.
Geospatial AI supports climate action and wildlife conservation
Geospatial AI helps nonprofits like The Nature Conservancy fight against deforestation rateswildlife migration patterns and carbon emissions.
The technology has also proven effective in protecting rare and vulnerable species and restoring natural wildlife habitats. A recent AI-based image analysis helped TNC detect two bird species this had not been seen in decades.
In the Santa Cruz Island reserve, TNC used AI-enhanced cameras to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species. After collecting thousands of images, teams reviewed the images and identified the number of rats present at the scene in hopes of limiting environmental degradation.
“We think technology can do a lot of work for conservation,” says Matt Merrifield, technical director of the California chapter of The Nature Conservancy. “The main goal of our team is to bring cutting-edge technology with significant impact to TNC’s projects and strategies.
