Over €5 million raised to ensure AI benefits everyone, not just the powerful few

We’re scaling our response to the AI challenge and we’re more than halfway towards meeting our €10m fundraising goal.

The tech industry has captured vast economic and political power and is reaping the benefits of AI hype while society pays the price. It’s increasing injustice, undermining our climate goals and setting back our democratic and human rights.

We’re mobilising funders to help turn the tide on AI so it can become a useful tool that’s harnessed with care to deliver the kinds of fair, inclusive and sustainable societies we all want to live in.  Three new and eight long-term partners have so far backed our Breakthrough Initiative with more than €5m committed to strengthening the hand of diverse experts and advocates that can stand up to corporate lobbying and government interests.

Collective effort

So far, Adessium Foundation, AI Collaborative, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondation de France, Ford Foundation, Limelight Foundation, Luminate, Open Society Foundations, Stiftung Mercator, Robert Bosch Stiftung and William & Flora Hewlett Foundation have contributed funds helping us get halfway towards meeting our €10 million goal.

The initiative will deliver four grantmaking programs designed to:

• Center the public interest in government engagement on AI
• Support the effective implementation and enforcement of legislation in Europe
• Take action on areas such as climate change and workers’ labour rights
• Put human rights at the heart of how AI is governed globally

The €10 million will build on our ongoing work strengthening Europe’s civil society community working on AI, which has also been supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, King Baudoin Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, Oak Foundation and Porticus.

A window of opportunity

 “I’m thrilled our partners are working together to put people and communities in charge of driving the agenda on AI,” said Catherine Miller, Director of the EAISF. “Europe’s political leaders are alert to AI harms and are looking for new ways to tackle economic and social challenges. This is our window of opportunity to scale our efforts and change the direction of AI so that it serves everyone, not just the powerful few.”

Our partners are also resolute that decisions about AI must be made with and for people and societies, not just the tech giants who often drive its development.

“We are proud to support the European AI & Society Fund’s crucial role and purpose in the European funding and civil society landscape,” said Fanny Hidvégi from the AI Collaborative. “We believe that decisions about AI’s role in society must be made by people, with people, and for people. This collective philanthropic effort is key to ensuring that AI is built in a way that is responsible and equitable for everyone.”

Real-world impact

The new funding will grow our community of over 40 organisations working at the intersection of AI and social justice across Europe.

It will be directed to organisations that take practical action against harmful AI practices, for instance helping workers challenge abusive labour practices, contesting government surveillance and discrimination or fighting environmentally harmful data centers. And we’ll support bold new thinking that can offer an alternative vision for how AI could serve people and society.

Looking ahead

We are working toward securing the remaining funds to meet our €10 million target and get money into the hands of changemakers as soon as possible. If you’d like to collaborate with us to create a future with technology that’s fair and equitable, contact us.