(image from humanity.ai)
A coalition of foundation leaders announced Humanity AI, a $500 million, five-year initiative dedicated to making sure people have a stake in the future of artificial intelligence (AI). As part of Humanity AI, 10 of the nation’s most well-known foundations supporting the arts, labor and work, democracy, education, and security will drive new investments toward establishing a people-driven future where AI delivers for humanity, strengthens communities, and enhances human creativity.
The foundations involved are: the Doris Duke Foundation, Ford Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Kapor Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, Omidyar Network, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Siegel Family Endowment. The idea is to mobilize philanthropy to ensure that people have a powerful voice to amplify their needs and interests, which are too often left out of discussions around AI.
“Every day, people learn more about the ways AI is impacting their lives, and it can often feel like this technology is happening to us rather than with us and for us,” John Palfrey, president of MacArthur, said via a statement. “The stakes are too high to defer decisions to a handful of companies and leaders within them. Humanity AI seeks to shift that dynamic by resourcing technologists, researchers, and advocates who are united by a shared vision of ensuring AI is a force for good, putting people and the planet first.”
Humanity AI funders have identified democracy, education, humanities and culture, labor and economy, and security as the priorities and have committed to making grants in one or more of those area.
When it comes to democracy, the funders are seeking new partnerships and frameworks for AI to advance and protect democracy, and safeguard rights and freedoms.
For education, the implementation of AI in education must be shaped around the best interests of all students, ensuring it is used as a tool that expands access to knowledge and strengthens how people learn. According to the funders, AI is not a replacement for human creativity, it is an enhancer. That means protecting artists’ and creators’ work from theft and strengthening ownership protections for the people shaping our culture and society.
From small towns to big cities, people know AI is and will continue to impact work. To have an economy that values people, our work, and enables everyone to thrive, AI must be used to enhance how people work, rather than replace them.
Innovation must not come at a cost to safety and security, according to the funders. From driverless cars to automated decisions about credit and lending, those building and deploying AI must be held to the highest standards to protect people.
The coalition is expected to grow to include other voices addressing the social and cultural impact of AI. Humanity AI partners will begin aligned grantmaking as soon as this fall, driving new investments across their respective grantmaking portfolios.
“The message I want to resonate far and wide is this: AI is not destiny, it is design,” Michele L. Jawando, president of the Omidyar Network, said via a statement. “Tech has incredible potential, but must be steered by humans, not the other way around. The future will not be written by algorithms. It will be written by people as a collective force. We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now about who builds AI, who benefits from it, and whose values shape it will determine whether it amplifies human needs or erodes them. That future is ours to design.”
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is the fiscal sponsor for Humanity AI and will manage a pooled fund of grants. RPA will hire a small staff, starting with an executive director, who will focus on growing and supporting funder engagement and learning, and helping advance the goals of the initiative. Humanity AI will make grants from the pooled fund in 2026.
MacArthur is also hiring a Director of AI Opportunity to manage its new Big Bet Program. AI Opportunity will expand who creates, uses, and benefits from AI, with a focus on the intersection of the economy and the workforce.
Organizations interested in Humanity AI can sign up for updates, including details on how to apply for grants. Humanity AI welcomes and continues to invite additional funders to advance our mission and amplify our work in building a society where people and communities have greater opportunity and agency to shape their lives by shaping AI.
