AI to the Rescue?
Can artificial intelligence save the stalled UN Sustainable Development Goals? + New interview series.
AI for Good
Earlier this year, I was in Geneva, Switzerland where I hosted the AI for Good Innovation Factory Pitch Competition. Entrepreneurs with AI-powered solutions impacting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) competed over the past year for the chance to participate in the grand finale at AI for Good; the UN’s annual artificial intelligence summit.
Here are three things I learned:
1. AI is a convener
Good things can happen when people with a range of experience and expertise are in the same space with a common interest. AI is hot right now. The ability of AI content and events to convene a multifaceted group of people is powerful. This a special moment and it bears considering how best to leverage it - it won’t last forever…
2. The SDGs are off-track
On Day 1 of the Summit, both the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin acknowledged that the SDGs are off track. Both leaders are looking to AI to move the SDG targets forward.
Mr. Guterres said that AI can “turbocharge sustainable development.” Ms. Bogdan-Martin took it a step further saying her wish is to “Scale AI solutions and rescue the SDGs.”
She noted that if current trends hold it will take nearly 300 years for the world to reach gender equity - SDG 5. In 2023, Mr. Guterres said, "...only 15 percent of the [SDG] targets are on track and many are going in reverse."
Read more of my thoughts on AI and sustainable development HERE.
Held during the UN General Assembly in September, Summit of the Future is set to take a hard look at the SDG framework, progress towards the targets, and future strategy. I imagine AI will be at the center of these discussions including measurement, program development, and implementation.
3. Entrepreneurs like Stemuli have scalable solutions
Congrats to Stemuli, the winner of the Innovation Factory Grand Finale! Entrepreneurs all over the world have scalable solutions. They need resources and partnerships to create systems-level change. I look forward to seeing Stemuli impact SDG 4 and beyond.
That’s what I learned, here’s what I’m doing about it….
Impact with AI
I’m partnering with AI for Good and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on a new interview series featuring entrepreneurs building solutions that move the SDGs forward.
Each week I’m interviewing entrepreneurs about an SDG, their solution, and AI’s potential. Starting with SDG 1, these conversations will cover all 17 SDGs.
Content from EP 1&2 has been viewed over 300K times on digital channels since our launch this month!
Watch the first two episodes featuring Barecraft Consulting and Elzian Agro!
I’m excited to dive into these conversations with entrepreneurs from around the world, and ecstatic that AI for Good will be sharing the interviews on their social channels as well.
Apply HERE if you are passionate about an SDG and want your business to be featured.