“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Communities are integral for innovation and societal progress. By creating spaces for people to come together, share ideas, and collaborate, communities can provide the groundwork for solutions that can have a huge impact on our lives. Moreso when it comes to technological innovations like Artificial Intelligence which has the capacity to affect society and the planet in both negative and positive ways. As such, this article will highlight the different communities within AI that are determined to use the technology for positive results.
1. The Good AI
Founded in: 2021
Community: 500 experts, including 140 startups in 30+ countries
Focus: The Good AI is a curated community of AI startups and talent researching and applying AI to address the Sustainable Developement Goals, with a special focus on carbon reduction, protection of biodiversity, circular economy, human rights & ESG tracking. While giving its members access to peer to peer learning, job board, corporates, and investors,The Good AI is also working with major companies to help them achieve their sustainability goals.
2. Omdena
Founded in: 2019
Community: 10,000 collaborators in over 105+ countries, established over 130 local chapters in 65+ countries.
Focus: Omdena is a global platform that connects AI experts worldwide to collaborate on real-world challenges and create innovative solutions. Using its network of innovators, developers, and data scientists, it offers a unique opportunity to bring together the best of both worlds.
3. AI for Good ITU
Founded in: 2017
Community: Their yearly global summit that attracts over 3k onsite participants and over 100k online communities across over 184 countries
Focus: AI for Good Foundation is a year-long digital platform that provides a space for a community of AI innovators and problem solvers. On the platform, they are able to communicate, build, and collaborate to identify practical solutions using AI to advance the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. AI for Good is organized by ITU in partnership with 40 UN sister Agencies and co-convened with Switzerland.
4. Climate Change AI
Founded in: 2019
Community: Over 2000 members
Focus: Climate Change AI is a global organization based out of Pittsburg, United States. The organization is comprised of volunteers from academia and industry who believe that tackling climate change requires concerted societal action, wherein machine learning can play an impactful role. In service of this belief, the organization produces educational resources, builds a community of relevant diverse stakeholders, and holds events like a Summer School program wherein enrolled students can learn how to leverage AI to address climate change.
5. Data for Good
Founded in: 2014
Community: Over 4000 members+ tech volunteers: Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Data Engineers, Developers, UX/UI Designers, and Product & Project Owners.
Focus: The Data for Good Association is a French law association that brings together a community of diverse tech enthusiasts. These volunteers put their skills to the benefit of associations, and non-profit organizations–to generate and engage public interest. Moreover, the community is committed to projects that address social and environmental issues, all the while accepting that technology is not the solution to all problems.
6. AI on Demand: AI for Europe
Founded in: 2019
Community: European wide
Focus: Artificial intelligence on Demand is a European platform established with the support of the European Commission. The fueling aim of the platform’s inception is to create value, growth, and jobs in Europe. The platform achieves this through an ecosystem that unites the AI community, promotes European values, and supports research on human-centered and trustworthy AI. Among their many services are AI courses, guides on ethical AI, and many many more.
7. Global AI
Founded in: 2020
Community: Currently, they host 3 global AI events across 100 locations that span every corner of the globe.
Focus: Global Artificial Intelligence is on a mission to connect AI communities across the globe, wherein they can share ideas and content with each other. Global AI does this by facilitating the evolution of local AI communities in different countries. They empower developers passionate about AI to share knowledge via events and meetups. Moreover, they provide a variety of resources like Azure passes and support for booking Microsoft venues.
8. Women in AI
Founded in: 2018
Community: 10,000 members globally, with chapters in around 140 countries
Focus: Women in Artificial Intelligence is a non-profit do-tank working towards inclusive AI that benefits global society. The focus of the organization is inspiring and empowering women and minorities working in the field of AI, with the vision of having more equitable representation in the field. Together, they engage in activities like education, research, events, and blogging.
9. Fruitpunch AI
Founded in: 2021
Community: 1,500+ engineers, 50+ partners, 3 chapters
Focus: Fruitpunch AI is developing a challenge-based AI education platform to fill the global need for AI talent with real-world skills. In accordance with this goal, is the community they are building, which is comprised of various individuals with scientific backgrounds. They provide this diverse community with free AI education and relevant real-world experiences.
10. AI for Good
Founded in: 2015
Community: a broad network of interdisciplinary researchers, nonprofits, governments, and corporate actors
Focus: AI for Good was founded by a team of Machine Learning and Social Science Researchers in the US and Europe. Globally, their offices operate in San Francisco, London, Ljubljana, and Christchurch. Together, the team brings together a diverse set of individuals and organizations to recognize, prototype, and eventually scale AI solutions that can engender positive change for society at large.
