The Case for Humanitarian AI: Using data to proactively address complex problems

People are tired of hearing that technology is “saving the world” when they know it’s just marketing-speak. And yet, we all know humanity needs to be proactive and pragmatic in addressing urgent global crises. Data-driven, AI-enabled philanthropy is a powerful, untapped tool to address humanitarian problems. Not only can the right tech make philanthropy more effective, it can also bring transparency and accountability to a famously fragmented sector.

Information technology, used everyday to increase efficiencies in the private sector, is tragically under-utilized in addressing social challenges. We need to take a data-drive approach. Practical usage in AI can bring together stakeholders, funders and nonprofits from all walks of life to solve complex humanitarian problems.

AI for Philanthropy: Turning Vision Into Reality

Just as “software is eating the world” across different sectors, so too will technology enable the philanthropic community to be more effective and efficient. This is great news for the sector.

The organization AI4Giving has been a significant driver in the discussion about using AI for philanthropic giving. We can use machine learning to analyze and aggregate large amounts of data sets across different players in the humanitarian sector in order to:

• Provide philanthropists with an evidence-based understanding of where help is needed.
• Efficiently evaluate the impact of charitable giving.
• Impact organizations’ mission by allowing them to make informed decisions and continuously adapt to realities on the ground.
• Foster the relationship between donors and causes.
• Help researchers better understand donors.
• Automate internal reporting and other administrative tasks.

Data-Driven Philanthropy is the Future of Giving

Data-driven philanthropy will enable more effective giving. The old philanthropic system is top-down, biased, and siloed. AI offers us the possibility of a data-based understanding of the nonprofit world. This has never existed before!

AI creates scalable data collection capabilities that harness information from nonprofits in real time. This creates possibilities for a grassroots data collection effort that tells donors exactly where funds need to go. We can do more to empower small nonprofits by knowing more about them — knowing where they are, who they serve, and what they need.

Oftentimes, small grassroots nonprofits are the best knowledge bases on their local community. They understand the needs facing their specific community and are first responders to crisis situations. Through AI, it fosters the possibility to not only give to major organizations, but to connect with and hone in on hyperlocal organizations right in your backyard.

Though technology isn’t a quick fix for the world’s problems, it can help us go a long way toward improving life for millions of people. Rather than maintaining the current fragmented giving landscape, having a connected network can bring stakeholders together.

You Can Be the Future of Giving

As it stands, donors don’t currently leverage data in their philanthropic activities. Now that we’re in the midst of a prolonged crisis, we have an opportunity to do things differently. Donors have begun to realize, much to their chagrin, that the money they donate to causes online could take at least a month to reach its destination.

We invite you to join a new movement–- one that gives donors a real-time look at the nonprofits that need funding, and that enables them to get money to its destination right away. We’re opening the door to next-level pragmatism and problem solving that will improve life for so many people, including you.

Are you ready to be part of the future of giving? Join us at DANDI. Reach out to us here to learn more. community@dandi.io