AI for good

AI for Social Good: Positive Use Cases

What will the future of AI look like? How do you see it changing the world? Everyone has a different idea of course. Could anyone have predicted how transformative the impact of the first personal computers would become?

Now we have devices the size of our hand capable of connecting with billions of others all around the world.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a transformative force for social good. From disaster preparedness to environmental sustainability, AI is helping charities, NGOs, and communities tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Today we’re looking into how AI is being used in the world. Whether helping vulnerable communities prepare for floods or enabling smarter recycling systems, AI is proving to be a powerful ally in building a more equitable, sustainable future.

AI-Powered Nonprofits

There’s no knowing exactly how new technologies will be used – for better or worse. But one thing’s clear: we’re still in the early days of AI, and new applications are emerging all the time.

More charities than ever are tapping into AI’s potential. According to the Charity Digital Skills Report, around 60% of charities are now using AI—almost double the 35% reported in 2023.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a key force in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Recent research, such as Google.org’s AI in Action report, highlights how AI is making significant contributions towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, AI is having the most impact in three critical areas: health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), and climate action (SDG 13).

Tracking the Climate Crisis

One example of AI being used to tackle the climate crisis is WattTime, a member of the Climate TRACE coalition, which leverages AI and satellite technology to track global emissions with unprecedented accuracy. To date, it has identified over 352 million of the world’s largest emission sources, providing the most comprehensive real-time data on climate change.

This AI-driven insight enables policymakers, businesses, and activists to make informed decisions in the fight against climate change. As part of Salesforce’s AI for Impact programme, WattTime continues to refine its tools, so they’re optimised to reduce emissions.

AI in Flood Risk Mitigation

Floods are the most common type of natural disaster, and the rate of flood-related disasters has more than doubled since 2000. This is a growing trend, driven by an accelerating hydrological cycle as a result of climate change. Since the pilot in India in 2018 of Google’s Flood Forecasting initiative, it continues to grow.

A significant challenge persists: accurate flood forecasting in regions with limited data. A frustrating disparity in access to high-quality weather data exists between developing and developed nations.

However, unlike traditional hydrological prediction models, which require long-term calibration to specific watersheds. Google’s model uses advanced machine learning techniques to generate predictions, even in unmeasured locations.

Low – and middle-income countries, home to 90% of the 1.8 billion people vulnerable to flood risks, face the greatest challenges. And early warning systems can reduce flood-related fatalities by up to 43%. Yet access to these systems remains unequal.

Google’s AI-driven flood forecasting initiative has made strides in addressing this gap. In 2024, the project expanded to cover over 100 countries, more than 700 million people globally. By integrating developments in AI technology, this initiative is demonstrating the potential of AI for good.

AI Supporting Rural Agriculture

Opportunity International has developed Ulangizi, a generative AI chatbot that provides agricultural advice to farmers in rural Malawi. Ulangizi – which translates as ‘Advice’ and delivers guidance in Chichewa, the local language, helping farmers make informed decisions on crop management, irrigation, and climate adaptation.

Farmers receive real-time, personalised insights that can improve crop yields and increase food security. Unlike traditional agricultural consulting services, which can be expensive and slow to scale, Ulangizi ensures that expert advice is accessible to even the most remote communities.

Other organisations looking to implement AI-driven support services can take inspiration from Ulangizi. By leveraging natural language processing and machine learning, nonprofits can create similar tools to provide expert knowledge in sectors such as healthcare, financial literacy, and education. AI-powered chatbots can bridge the gap in access to critical information and empower underserved populations.

AI in Emergency Service Delivery

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted by charities to enhance their operations and service delivery. One notable example is the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Signpost Project, which leverages AI to provide critical information to displaced individuals.

As a result of climate change and conflict, over 1.2 billion people could be displaced globally by 2050. Signpost is aiming to reach 50% of the world’s displaced population by using artificial intelligence. The chatbot helps answer common questions around the clock, so people don’t have to wait for help.

The IRC ensures the AI is working by having local moderators check its responses for accuracy and cultural sensitivity. This way, AI can speed up services while still making sure people get the support they need.

Image by Shubham Dhage on pexels

Smarter Waste Management

AI is proving to be a game-changer in the fight against waste, and Greyparrot, a U.K.-based startup, is at the forefront. Their AI and computer vision technology changed how material recovery facilities identify and sort waste. In 2023 alone, Greyparrot scanned over 25 billion waste objects, diverting millions of tons of recyclables from landfills and incinerators.
With deals to expand across Europe and North America, Greyparrot is helping recycling plants recover valuable materials more efficiently. Making waste management smarter and more sustainable. This progress demonstrates how AI can drive meaningful environmental impact in traditionally low-tech industries.

AI Tools for Data Protection and Security

With the increasing amount of sensitive information charities manage, including donor data and beneficiary details, data protection is more critical than ever. With over half of charities unprepared to manage AI risk, including cyber security and data protection. It is likely we will see an increase in data breaches. AI tools can enhance data security by detecting potential breaches, monitoring unusual activities, and protecting against cyber threats.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool in combating fraud across various sectors. Financial institutions, in particular, have integrated AI-driven systems to enhance security measures and protect consumers.

A good example is the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which launched the Truyu app last year to tackle identity fraud. Truyu alerts users when identity checks are conducted, enabling prompt responses to potential unauthorised use of personal information. There were 199,100 cases of identity theft reported in the previous year.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While the potential for AI to drive social good is immense, several challenges and ethical considerations must be addressed to ensure its positive impact. One major concern is the risk of technology failing to meet expectations, as seen in past initiatives that promised more than they delivered. To avoid repeating these failures, AI programs must be built on solid research and evidence.

Another challenge lies in the accuracy and fairness of AI models. For example, poorly trained models or biases in the data can lead to incorrect predictions or unintended consequences, such as overlooking the most vulnerable populations. It’s essential to ensure that AI systems are rigorously tested, and that impact evaluations are conducted to assess both the benefits and potential harms.

As AI is integrated into organisations, there is the issue of transparency and accountability. Stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and tech companies, must be transparent about how AI is used, the data it relies on, and its outcomes. Without this, trust in AI could be quickly eroded.

AI should enhance, rather than replace, human expertise. Another critical consideration to avoid job displacement and to maintain the human touch essential in social services.

Conclusion

AI is increasingly being recognised for its potential to drive positive change, particularly in the charitable sector. By using AI tools, charities can enhance their operations, reach a broader audience, and maximise their impact. AI for good focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, from environmental issues to global health crises.

For charities, AI tools offer numerous advantages, such as improving resource allocation, optimising donor engagement, and streamlining administrative tasks. With AI for charities, organisations can automate repetitive processes, analyse large datasets to identify trends. These tools not only save time but also allow organisations to make more data-driven decisions.

As AI technology evolves, its applications for social good will only grow, enabling us to reach new heights of efficiency, impact, and innovation. The future is bright, and AI will play a crucial role in shaping a better world for those who need it most.

Haven’t had your fill of AI yet? Explore how AI assistants and tools are transforming operations and service delivery across the nonprofit sector today.

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Emily Coombes

Hi! I'm Emily, a content writer at Japeto and an environmental science student.

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