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Press Release: Gates Foundation Commits US$1 Billion to Help Build and Deliver Equitable AI That Improves Health and Expands Opportunity

New Goalkeepers Report: AI could be a great equalizer, but only if it’s built intentionally to benefit the people who need it most.

Source

Gates Foundation (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, global development, human rights

Analysis: The Turbulent AI Era Is Here. The Choices We Make Now Are Critical.

The transition to the AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history. Right now, we are not preparing adequately for that transition. If the world takes the right steps, AI will be a force for good and leave everyone better off.

Source

Gates Notes (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, data, global development, human rights, public policy, regulations, research, SDGs

AI’s Impact on the Environment Is Absolutely Horrifying, New Paper Finds

It’s reached the point that AI is giving the fossil fuel industry a substantial leg up, as a new paper published in the journal NPJ Climate Action details.

Source

Futurism (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Environment, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, climate change, corporations, data, decarbonization, human rights, regulations, research

Civil Rights Groups Urge a Halt to South Africa Data Centers Boom Amid Water and Power Fears

With South Africa positioning itself as Africa’s main data hub and U.S. technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Equinix increasingly setting up digital infrastructure in the country, civil society organizations have raised the alarm about the lack of transparency around the projects.

Source

Associated Press (link opens in a new window)

Categories

WASH

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

artificial intelligence, data, human rights, waste, water

Report: World Set to Cross 1.5°C Global Warming, but Can Still Limit, Adapt to and Return From Higher Temperatures

The report puts best-case scenario peak temperature rise at 1.8°C; others suggest over 2°C.

Source

UNEP (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Environment

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

climate change, corporations, human rights, sustainable finance

Viewpoint: Scale Right, Not Cheap and Easy

Social innovation means building a road to the future that doesn't yet exist, without lowering standards.

Source

Stanford Social Innovation Review (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Social Enterprise

Region

Global

Tags

human rights, impact measurement, innovation, public health, systems change

Viewpoint: Why We Should All Be Worried About AI in Elections

"The more important question is not what happens when AI generates a fake video of a candidate, but what happens when it is embedded in the systems that administer elections themselves — in procurement decisions, biometric voter-verification systems, and data-sharing arrangements."

Source

Rest of World (link opens in a new window)

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, data, governance, human rights, innovation, public policy, regulations

Analysis: Waste-To-Energy Plants Are a Disaster for the Environment but India Is Building More

The incinerators have high capital costs and usually receive financial support from international institutions and subsidies in India.

Source

Scroll.in (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Energy, WASH

Region

Asia Pacific

Tags

energy access, human rights, recycling, waste