Jeff Bezos Earth Fund Announces $100 Million for AI Solutions to Address Climate Change and Nature Loss

Jeff Bezos Earth Fund announced today an AI for the Climate and Nature Grand Challenge. The challenge will award grants of up to $100 million. Its goal is to discover how modern AI can help fight climate change and the loss of nature, as well as encourage more cooperation between environmental groups and top AI tech companies. Applications will open in May 2024.

“Can AI today help fight climate change and the loss of nature? If so, how?” “That’s the question we want to answer,” the Fund’s Executive Chair, Jeff Bezos, said. “By bringing together brilliant minds across fields, we may be able to invent new ways forward.”

The Grand Challenge’s first round will focus on three main areas: sustainable proteins, protecting biodiversity, and making power grid optimization. The Grand Challenge will also include a “Wild Card” section to showcase innovative ideas not directly related to the main topics. In later rounds, we’ll talk about other priorities. There will be two funding opportunities in each round. The first phase will award up to 30 seed grants to AI ideas that demonstrate potential for addressing the focus areas. In late September, during Climate Week NYC, a Bezos Earth Fund TED event will announce the winners. In the second phase, these awardees will be able to apply for grants of up to $2 million to turn their ideas into workable solutions. They will also be able to get assistance from technology leaders, as well as access to computing infrastructure and relevant datasets.

In a video message, Vice Chair Lauren Sánchez said, “AI may have the potential to solve some of our biggest problems, and we’re calling on the world’s smartest problem-solvers to bring their most innovative ideas to the table.” “Together, we can innovate and solve these challenges.”

The Bezos Earth Fund wants proposals from people who work in universities, NGOs, private companies, and organizations, as well as researchers and innovators. Groups working on climate and nature issues, as well as those with AI expertise, are likely to form partnerships on the chosen proposals. We will not consider individual proposals.

“The future is not likely to consist of straight lines and gentle curves,” stated Dr. Andrew Steer, CEO and President of Earth Fund Jeff Bezos. Rather, it will consist of abrupt shifts and critical moments, regardless of their positive or negative outcomes. When AI comes along, it might help solve some very tough problems. We hope that this program will make a positive contribution.