$10 Million to Advance AI By and For People

A coalition of funders has launched Humanity AI, a national initiative designed to shape the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) to prioritize human interests. The MacArthur Foundation has announced $10 million in grants aligned with this initiative, which anticipates driving over $500 million in total investment over the next five years.

A Focus on People-Centered AI

Humanity AI aims to ensure AI systems are built “by and for people,” according to the initiative’s core principles. MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey emphasized the importance of proactive governance, stating, “We, as humans…can also be its governors. We have a unique opportunity to design systems with robust ethical frameworks, and guardrails.” The foundation believes philanthropic investment is crucial to shaping AI governance and fostering public understanding of the technology.

Did You Know? Humanity AI will focus on five key areas: Democracy, Education, Humanities and Culture, labour and Economy, and Security.

Key Areas of Investment

The initial grants will support organizations working across five core areas. These include fostering new frameworks for AI to support democracy and safeguard freedoms, shaping AI in education to benefit students and communities, enhancing human creativity through AI, ensuring AI enhances rather than replaces jobs, and upholding high security standards in AI development and deployment.

Beyond these specific areas, Humanity AI will also focus on building the knowledge base and infrastructure needed for AI to serve the public interest. A key goal is to influence public discourse around AI, moving the conversation beyond purely technological considerations to centre people and the planet.

Grants Awarded

The MacArthur Foundation’s initial $10 million in grants are being distributed to a diverse group of universities, research institutions, and think tanks. The AI Now Institute will receive $2 million to expand its work on national security and AI. The Brookings Institution’s AI and Emerging Technologies Initiative will also receive $2 million to aid policymakers in understanding the societal impacts of AI.

Additional grants include $500,000 for Data & Society Research Institute to deepen its work on civic engagement, $500,000 for the Human Rights Data Analysis Group to develop AI infrastructure for civil society, $2 million for the London School of Economics and Political Science to support a global forum on AI and social science, $1 million for New America to launch a dialogue series on AI challenges, $1 million for the Pulitzer centre to scale its AI Accountability Network, and $1 million for the Washington centre for Equitable Growth to research AI’s economic impact.

Expert Insight: This coordinated philanthropic effort signals a growing recognition that the development of AI is not solely a technological issue, but one with profound societal, economic, and political implications. The focus on shaping public discourse suggests an attempt to counter narratives driven primarily by the technology sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of Humanity AI?

The primary goal of Humanity AI is to build a more human(e) future in which artificial intelligence is shaped by and for people.

How much total investment is Humanity AI expected to drive?

Humanity AI is expected to drive more than $500 million in new investments over the next five years.

What are the five core areas of focus for Humanity AI?

The five core areas of focus are Democracy, Education, Humanities and Culture, labour and Economy, and Security.

As AI continues to evolve, it may become increasingly important for philanthropic organizations and public institutions to play a more active role in guiding its development. Further investment in research and public discourse could shape the future trajectory of AI and its impact on society.