Could artificial intelligence be the answer to saving the planet? Jeff Bezos, the multi-billionaire founder of Amazon, wants to find the answer with this latest initiative.
The Bezos Earth Fund is handing out $100m (€94m) in grants for AI solutions aimed at tackling climate change and nature loss as well as stimulating closer cooperation between groups on the front line of environmental solutions and leading AI technology providers.
The Bezos Earth Fund was created in 2020 with a commitment of $10bn from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to be disbursed as grants. Its main aim: to create a just transition to a low-carbon economy within the current decade.
“Can modern AI help counter climate change and nature loss, and, if so, how? That’s the question we hope to answer,” said Bezos, the world’s second-richest person, worth $203bn, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
“By bringing together brilliant minds across fields, we may be able to invent new ways forward,” said Bezos, who is the executive chair of the fund.
Grand challenge
The fund’s ‘AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge’ will initially focus on advancing solutions in three areas: sustainable proteins, biodiversity conservation, and power grid optimisation.
The fund said it has created a wild card category for “powerful ideas outside the focus areas”. Subsequent rounds will focus on other priorities, with each round offering up two funding opportunities.
Applications open next month, with 30 seed grants up for grabs for promising ideas that address the focus areas in the first phase. The first awardees will be announced at a Bezos Earth Fund-TED event during Climate Week NYC in September.
In the second phase, the successful awardees will be able to apply for grants of up to $2m to help bring their ideas into fruition. They will also receive mentorship, support from technology leaders, and access to computing infrastructure and relevant datasets.
Tipping points
“The future is unlikely to be characterised by straight lines and gentle curves, but rather by unexpected changes and tipping points, good or bad,” said Andrew Steer, president and chief executive officer of the Bezos Earth Fund.
“The arrival of AI will potentially help solve very difficult challenges. With this programme we hope to make a helpful contribution,” Steer said.
The Bezos Earth Fund said it is welcoming proposals from practitioners, researchers, and innovators in universities, NGOs, private companies, and global organisations.
