The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation Partners with JA to Invest in AI for Good
December 17, 2024
When artificial intelligence (AI) is developed with intention, we create space for radical change.
Our partnership with the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) helps fuel our work in advancing global AI literacy so young people are equipped with the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. Together, we're building a future where a shared understanding of AI strengthens our human purpose, laying the groundwork for lasting change.
Read about the foundation’s bold commitment to AI for good:
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic construct; it has become a defining force in reshaping economies, ecosystems, and human lives. At this moment, AI’s potential is vast, making it a powerful new tool to embrace for collective progress.
"We believe that by investing in AI solutions grounded in human values, we can harness technology’s immense potential to benefit communities and individuals alike." —Vilas Dhar, President and Trustee, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
Today, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation announces a total of $73.5 million in charitable contributions in 2024 to reinforce its proactive commitment to innovation and social impact. In collaboration with civil society, academia, and industry, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation continues to center human dignity, equity, and shared purpose to create a world where AI strengthens resilience, provides sustainable solutions, and promises meaningful change.
“The way we choose to envision, develop, and govern AI technologies today will fundamentally shape the future of our society. The stakes couldn’t be higher,” said Vilas Dhar, President of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. “This is not a moment to react; it’s a moment to lead. We believe that by investing in AI solutions grounded in human values, we can harness technology’s immense potential to benefit communities and individuals alike. AI can amplify human dignity, protect the vulnerable, drive global prosperity, and become a force for good.”
This transformative investment spotlights three strategic areas: partnerships with 144 nonprofit, academic, and governmental organizations worldwide; the development and delivery of AI solutions built for long-term societal benefit; and the creation of institutions designed to address the opportunities and challenges of the AI era. Through these initiatives, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation works alongside an established ecosystem of leaders and partners to showcase how AI can be a catalyst for progress.
The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation’s grant portfolio includes more than 11 countries, supporting organizations that leverage data science and AI to drive tangible change in a variety of areas with urgency, including climate change, human rights, media and journalism, crisis response, digital literacy, and health equity. Beyond funding, the Foundation equips nonprofits with the tools and training needed to understand and implement public-sector-ready AI solutions. Today's announcement strengthens an ecosystem of partners working to center the human experience–our dignity, our safety, and our happiness–in the regulation, development, and deployment of emerging technologies.
Throughout 2024, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation supported global organizations, institutions, and initiatives advancing secure and responsible AI through policy and research this year. Notable contributions include support for the United Nations Global Digital Compact, the NSF’s Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT) program, and the White House Public Interest Technology Commitment—a collaborative effort involving the Ford Foundation, Pivotal Ventures, Siegel Family Endowment, and other notable philanthropies—the National Academy of Sciences Roundtable on AI and Climate Change Decision Making, and the creation of a new hub for open source trust and safety software.