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AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge

Project of:

Bezos Earth Fund

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The AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, or simply The Grand Challenge, is a project of the Bezos Earth Fund launched in April 2024 to promote the use of artificial intelligence to address climate change and loss of natural lands. 1 The Challenge is expected to last over a three-year period with several phases to provide grant proposals for nonprofits and academic institutions.  2

Background

The AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, or simply The Grand Challenge, is a multi-year project of the Bezos Earth Fund. Launched in 2024 with a $100 million investment from Bezos Earth Fund, the organization intends to provide grants to applicants and proposals for combatting climate change through using AI technology.  3

Activities

The Grand Challenge developed a series of phases in which eligible organizations and groups would be able to provide proposals: these include U.S-based nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private companies. The first phase accepted proposals through July 30, in which 30 grants would be awarded, each worth $50,000. Proposals for this phase included advocacy in “biodiversity, conservation, advancing sustainable proteins, and power grid optimization.” 4 The Bezos Earth Fund also noted the inclusion of a “Wild Card” category for alternate proposals including “utilizing vision and sound recognition to find new animal species.” 5

The second phase, according to the Bezos Earth Fund, will have participants collaborate with AI experts over a six-week period to continue developing their proposals for a judging panel. According to the group, the intention is to assist in developing accepted proposals over a series of two years while implementation grants of up to $2 million would be awarded to selected proposals by early 2025. 6 The final phase will have awardees from the first two phases implement their proposals over a two-year period through provided resources and grants by the Challenge. In addition, those awarded would participate in a “AI for Climate and Nature” summit in 2025. According to the Bezos Earth Fund, it will provide further information on potential new phases of the Challenge in the future. 7

References

  1. Tremayne-Pengelly, Alexandra. “Jeff Bezos Commits $100M in Grants for AI Solutions to Climate Change.” Observer, April 18, 2024. https://observer.com/2024/04/jeff-bezos-grant-ai-solutions-climate-change-artificial-intelligence/
  2. “Bezos Earth Fund invites applications for $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge.” Philanthropy News Digest, June13, 2024. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp16621-bezos-earth-fund-invites-applications-for-100-million-ai-for-climate-and-nature-grand-challenge
  3. Tremayne-Pengelly, Alexandra. “Jeff Bezos Commits $100M in Grants for AI Solutions to Climate Change.” Observer, April 18, 2024. https://observer.com/2024/04/jeff-bezos-grant-ai-solutions-climate-change-artificial-intelligence/
  4.  “Bezos Earth Fund invites applications for $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge.” Philanthropy News Digest, June13, 2024. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp16621-bezos-earth-fund-invites-applications-for-100-million-ai-for-climate-and-nature-grand-challenge
  5. Tremayne-Pengelly, Alexandra. “Jeff Bezos Commits $100M in Grants for AI Solutions to Climate Change.” Observer, April 18, 2024. https://observer.com/2024/04/jeff-bezos-grant-ai-solutions-climate-change-artificial-intelligence/
  6. “AI for Climate and Nature.” Bezos Earth Fund, Accessed July 9, 2024. https://www.bezosearthfund.org/ai-climate-nature
  7.  “About the Grand Challenge.” AI For Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, Accessed July 9, 2024. https://www.aiforclimateandnature.org/about-the-grand-challenge/
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