An open call for the next Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI
Generative AI has real potential to make progress on many of humanity's most pressing challenges. Recent Google research shows that AI is driving progress towards all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
But barriers to tapping into this technology remain. A 2024 Google for Nonprofits survey found that while four in five nonprofits feel that generative AI is applicable to their work, nearly half are not using the technology due to a lack of awareness, training, tools and funding. To help address these barriers, Google.org launched a Generative AI Accelerator in 2024 that supported 21 organizations to build gen AI-powered solutions that collectively aim to serve more than 30 million people by 2028.
Participants in the first Generative AI Accelerator built solutions across sectors, from tackling youth unemployment to advancing a more sustainable future to empowering people facing humanitarian crises. Their work spanned Google.org's three focus areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Learning; Scientific Advancement; and Resilient Communities. For example:
Knowledge, Skills, and Learning
Tabiya used Google Cloud tools like Vertex AI to develop Compass, an open-source, gen AI-powered conversational agent designed to tackle youth unemployment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, with a goal of increasing by 100% the number of job seekers that a single human career counselor can reach. Learn more.
Scientific Advancement
Materiom is making sustainable plastic alternative development 10 times faster with Gemini, helping accelerate research and entrepreneurship by identifying novel alternatives to petroleum plastics. Learn more.
Resilient Communities
The International Rescue Committee’s SignpostAI is using Gemini to deliver personalized, critical information in more than 25 languages to empower people facing high stakes humanitarian crises, with a five-year goal of reaching 50% of people who have been forcibly displaced. Learn more.
Now, to help even more organizations harness gen AI for social impact, Google.org is launching a global open call for the second cohort of the Generative AI Accelerator.
Nonprofits, civic entities, academic institutions and social enterprises can apply if they are advancing social impact solutions across Google.org's three focus areas. Selected organizations will participate in a six-month accelerator that includes technical training, Google Cloud credits and pro-bono support from Google employees, along with a share of $30 million in funding. Visit g.co/Accelerator/GenAI to apply by February 10, 2025.
