As the conversation about AI technology and its potential risks and benefits becomes more mainstream, one billionaire is doubling down on his desire to use the technology for good to help find solutions to climate change.
On Thursday, Jeff Bezos' Bezos Earth Fund announced that the organization will award $100 million in grants to groups through its “AI Grand Challenge for Climate and Nature,” which will seek to help determine how “modern artificial intelligence can help address climate change and nature loss ” and “inspire deeper collaboration between groups on the front lines of environmental solutions and leading AI technology providers.”
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The competition will have multiple rounds addressing different areas of focus and concern – for example, the first round will focus on the areas of sustainable proteins, biodiversity conservation and energy grid optimization. Each round will also include a “Wild Card” category for those wishing to submit a proposal that does not fall into the selected categories.
There will be two phases of funding per round. In the first, up to 30 seed grants will be awarded to top groups of “promising AI ideas that address focus areas,” while the second phase will allow these winners to apply for grants of up to $2 million, such as and receive mentoring and access to “computing infrastructure and related data sets.”
The Bezos Earth Fund said it will accept applications from “practitioners, researchers and innovators in universities, NGOs, private companies and organizations”, but proposals from individuals will not be accepted.
“The future is unlikely to be characterized by straight lines and smooth curves, but rather by sudden changes and tipping points, good or bad,” said Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO Dr. Andrew Steer in a company. RELEASE. “The advent of AI will potentially help solve very difficult challenges. With this program, we hope to make a useful contribution.”
Applications officially open in May 2024 and those interested can apply next month, here.
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Last monthBezos awarded Eva Longoria and Admiral Bill McRaven $50 million each to give to their chosen charity through the Bezos Courage and Civility Award.
Bezos revealed exclusively for him CNN in 2022 he plans to give away most of his wealth during his lifetime. As of Thursday afternoon, his net worth was an appreciated one 203 billion dollars.