NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Artificial intelligence is a design, not a destiny.
That's the message from ten charities seeking to loosen the grip on tech financiers. fueled by investment frenzydelay its evolution. Launched Tuesday, the Humanity AI coalition will commit $500 million over the next five years to put human interests at the forefront of the rapid integration of technology into everyday life.
“Every day people are learning more about how AI is impacting their lives, and it can often feel like this technology is happening to us, rather than to us and for us,” John Palfrey, president of the MacArthur Foundation, said in a statement. “The stakes are too high to leave decisions to a handful of companies and their leaders.”
Artificial intelligence has been adopted as a means to improve productivity in areas such as software development or medicine. Voice cloning technology has been used to help people with speech impairments communicate. Humanitarian groups test their ability translate important documents for refugees.
But others question whether its implementation actually improves their quality of life. Some say there is real harm to children We turn to chatbots with artificial intelligence for communication. created by artificial intelligence deepfake video contribute to the spread of misinformation and disinformation online. Energy-intensive systems dependence on energy derived from fossil fuels contributes to climate change. And economists I'm afraid that AI will take away jobs from younger workers or entry-level workers.
Humanity AI strives to reclaim agency by supporting technology and advocating a focus on people and the planet. Members must provide grants in at least one of five priority areas identified by the coalition: promoting democracy, promoting education, protecting artists, improving working conditions, or protecting personal safety.
The alliance of a wide range of charities highlights widespread concerns. Its ranks include supporters of the humanities such as the Mellon Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Trust; anti-inequality activists such as the Ford Foundation and the Omidyar Network; equitable technology funders such as the Mozilla Foundation and the Siegal Family Foundation; and the philanthropic giants of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
“We can choose participation over control. The systems that shape our lives should be powered by people, open by design and fueled by imagination,” Nabiha Syed, executive director of the Mozilla Foundation, said in a statement. “And Humanity AI will support just that by providing resources to those who are bringing back human agency in technology development.”
This isn't the first charitable coalition launched this year to ensure everyday people aren't left behind. Gates Foundation and Ballmer Group were among the sponsors who announced in July that they spend $1 billion over 15 years to create artificial intelligence tools for public defenders, parole officers, social workers and others who help Americans in dangerous situations. Other efforts are aimed at improve artificial intelligence literacy and access for entrepreneurs in low-income countries.
Humanity AI hopes to expand its coalition. The partners will begin coordinating grants this fall and pool their money next year in a fund managed by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
Omidyar Network Michelle L. Jawando emphasized that people have the power to ensure that artificial intelligence enhances rather than destroys their needs. But she said we are now at a crossroads.
“The future will not be written by algorithms,” Jawando said in a press release. “It will be written by the people as a collective force.”
___
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits is supported through the AP's partnership with The Conversation US, with funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
