The Bezos Earth Fund has committed to using artificial intelligence (AI) to address environmental challenges, announcing a significant investment of $30 million in grants aimed at supporting innovative projects. This funding initiative will support 15 teams from various universities and environmental organizations globally, reflecting a growing belief in the potential of modern AI technologies to aid conservation efforts.
Founded by Jeff Bezos, the fund has enlisted the expertise of leading tech companies including Nvidia, Google (an Alphabet subsidiary), Microsoft Research, the nonprofit research group Ai2, and Esri, a developer of geographic information system software. The collaboration aims to empower organizations that prioritize environmental protection over technological development.
Amen Ra Mashariki, the fund”s director of AI, emphasized the importance of leveraging AI as a “force for good,” suggesting it could be crucial in efforts to mitigate climate change and protect natural ecosystems. “The more that we support AI to be a force for good, that will ultimately be the mechanism by which we save the planet,” Mashariki stated in an interview.
The selected grant recipients include a project at the New York Botanical Garden, which focuses on automating the identification of plant species using computer vision and AI. Another project from the University of Leeds in England aims to develop an AI platform that transforms food waste into microbial protein. Additionally, the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg is working on a weather forecasting toolkit for Africa utilizing AI technologies.
This funding announcement marks the second phase of a multi-year initiative known as the “AI Grand Challenge,” which commenced in April 2024. Initially, $1.2 million was allocated in smaller grants to 24 groups to develop “AI-ready” proposals. The recent winners were selected from that initial cohort and will receive $2 million each to implement their projects over the next two years, specifically addressing issues such as biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and climate change.
Lauren Bennett, program manager at Esri, noted that the challenge is focused on genuine applications of AI, stating, “It was trying to help conservation organizations do their jobs.” Many of the applicants are already utilizing Esri”s software, ensuring that their approaches are responsible and effective.
The strategy of the Earth Fund emphasizes supporting organizations that already have active projects and can enhance their efforts through AI rather than imposing new problems for AI to solve. Mashariki remarked, “Technology only matters if it”s used to do something useful or important.”
For example, the Nature Conservancy intends to employ edge AI technology to monitor illegal fishing practices. This involves using Nvidia Jetson sensors on fishing vessels to track catches as they are being brought aboard, thereby improving the efficiency of their conservation efforts.
Tech companies have played a vital role in the challenge since its inception, offering insights on AI applications and mentoring grant applicants. Esri conducted sessions to explore the capabilities of its software, enabling participants to refine their proposals and analytics approaches.
The support from tech organizations included providing free technology and access to professional services, alongside the availability of Mashariki”s AI team to assist grant recipients. “I deliberately used words like, “we”re excited to support you, partner with you,” because we”re not just funding them,” Mashariki added, highlighting the collaborative nature of this initiative.
