AI is not just a tool for profit; it's a powerful force for positive change. AI for social good focuses on using AI to address pressing social and environmental challenges, creating a more equitable and sustainable world. Without this focus, you risk missing out on opportunities to make a real difference and potentially contributing to unintended harm.
So, what is AI for social good? It encompasses AI projects and initiatives that aim to improve human well-being, protect the environment, and promote social justice. It’s about using AI to solve problems that matter, from combating climate change to improving healthcare access to reducing poverty. But what happens when AI is not used for social good?
The Cost of Neglecting Social Impact
The immediate cost is missed opportunities to innovate. Organisations that focus solely on profit-driven AI applications miss out on the potential to develop innovative solutions that address pressing social needs, gaining both positive publicity and a competitive advantage. Imagine a pharmaceutical company that only uses AI to optimise drug pricing, neglecting opportunities to use AI to accelerate drug discovery for neglected diseases.
The long-term consequence is exacerbating existing inequalities. AI can be used to perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes for marginalized communities. Picture a government agency that uses AI to allocate resources without considering the needs of underserved populations. This further entrenches existing inequalities and undermines social justice.
Addressing The Social Element
What prevents organisations from prioritising AI for social good? Often, it's a combination of:
- Focusing solely on profit maximization. Instead, integrate social impact into your AI strategy and prioritize projects that benefit both the business and society.
- Lacking awareness of social challenges. Rather than relying on assumptions, conduct thorough research to identify the most pressing social needs in your community and around the world.
- Failing to collaborate with social impact organizations. Instead, partner with non-profits, government agencies, and community groups to develop and deploy AI solutions that are truly effective and sustainable.
Measuring Positive Impact
To ensure that your AI initiatives are contributing to social good, consider tracking the following metric:
- Social Impact Score: This measures the positive impact of your AI projects on key social and environmental indicators, demonstrating your commitment to using AI for good.
Embracing AI for social good unlocks a future of positive change, builds trust with stakeholders, and attracts talent who are passionate about making a difference. It is one of the key factors we assess in our AI-Driven Market Leader Scorecard. Take the AI-Driven Market Leader Scorecard to discover if your company possesses the 31 traits of an AI-driven market leader.
