A new coalition of ten philanthropic foundations, named Humanity AI, has pledged $500 million over the next five years to redirect the trajectory of artificial intelligence towards human-centric values. This initiative challenges the current paradigm where AI's evolution is largely shaped by a few moneyed developers, driven by an investment frenzy rather than societal well-being. As MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey articulated, the pervasive impact of AI often feels like something happening to people, rather than with or for them, emphasizing that the stakes are too high to leave critical decisions to a select group of companies and their leaders.

While AI offers undeniable benefits, such as boosting productivity in fields like software engineering and medicine, assisting students with various impairments, aiding humanitarian groups in document translation, and helping farmers detect pests, its deployment has raised significant concerns. Critics point to real harms, including the negative effects of AI chatbots on children, the spread of misinformation and disinformation through AI-generated deepfake videos, and AI systems' substantial energy consumption, which relies on fossil fuels and contributes to climate change. Economists also fear job displacement, particularly for young or entry-level workers.

According to Michele L. Jawando, President of Omidyar Network, the core issue is that tech giants are not investing sufficiently in human-centric applications. Instead, their focus is on products that may not genuinely contribute to human flourishing. Jawando cited OpenAI’s recent entry into the online marketplace, where ChatGPT was touted for its new capabilities as a virtual merchant facilitating sales for Etsy sellers or food delivery from Uber Eats, as a prime example of this profit-driven orientation.

Humanity AI acknowledges the private sector's pursuit of profit and governments' interest in fostering innovation. However, given the immense influence of tech companies and regulatory rollbacks by administrations like the Trump administration aimed at accelerating AI development, philanthropic leaders recognized an urgent need for increased capital and collaboration. This concerted effort is designed to amplify the voice of civil society. Jawando explained that Humanity AI aims to address the fundamental question: "What do humans need for flourishing?" She contrasted this with the prevailing focus on mere "efficiency," arguing that a rich, robust, healthy, and safe life is preferable to one that is merely efficient.

Led by the MacArthur Foundation and Omidyar Network, Humanity AI endeavors to reclaim agency by championing technology and advocates who prioritize people and the planet. Member foundations are required to issue grants in at least one of five critical priority areas identified by the coalition: advancing democracy, strengthening education, protecting artists, enhancing work, or defending personal security.

The broad alliance of philanthropies involved, including humanities supporters like the Mellon Foundation, inequality tacklers like the Ford Foundation, open internet grantmakers like the Mozilla Foundation, leading education funders such as the Lumina Foundation, charitable behemoths like the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and groups exploring technology's societal impacts like the Siegel Family Endowment, underscores the widespread concern across various sectors. This coalition is not alone in its mission; other philanthropic efforts launched this year include a $1 billion commitment over 15 years from the Gates Foundation and Ballmer Group to create AI tools for public defenders, parole officers, and social workers, alongside initiatives to improve AI literacy and expand access for entrepreneurs in low-income countries.

Humanity AI seeks to expand its coalition further. Partners initiated grant coordination in the fall and plan to pool new funds next year into a collaborative fund managed by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Early grantees include the National Black Tech Ecosystem Association, which cultivates diverse leadership in STEM; AI Now, a research institute at New York University dedicated to studying AI’s social implications; and a Howard Law School initiative focused on developing AI solutions that advance civil rights. Nabiha Syed, Executive Director of the Mozilla Foundation, concluded by emphasizing the choice of "participation over control," asserting that systems shaping our lives must be powered by people, open by design, and fueled by imagination.