A coalition of funders, including the Gates Foundation and Ballmer Group, is committing $1 billion over 15 years to develop artificial intelligence tools for frontline workers such as public defenders, parole officers, social workers, and others who help Americans in precarious situations.
The fund, called NextLadder Ventures, will offer grants and investments to nonprofits and for-profits to develop AI solutions that address the challenges faced by these workers. The goal is to spur economic mobility and provide resources to those who need them most.
The funders believe that AI technologies can be used to match people with resources after a disaster or eviction, or help parole officers close out more cases for individuals who have met all the criteria but are waiting on paperwork.
NextLadder will partner with AI company Anthropic, which will provide technical expertise and access to its technologies. The partnership aims to ensure that AI solutions are developed in collaboration with frontline workers and meet their specific needs.
Philanthropy experts say that investing in AI tools for frontline workers can be a way to address the risks associated with using these technologies, as long as they are developed and deployed responsibly. The key is to involve vulnerable communities in every step of the development process and ensure that AI solutions do not replace frontline workers.
The fund’s leaders emphasize that any AI tools invested in will be shaped by the needs and feedback of frontline workers. They believe that access to new technologies is essential for groups struggling to move up the economic ladder.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-economic-inequality-gates-foundation-stand-together-5c84fa707ba8275a7afb2bc5245c286d