Cash splash to boost sector AI skills 

The two-year Asia-Pacific AI Nonprofit Learning Community program will support 10,000 staff and volunteers from hundreds of organisations - ranging from grassroots community groups to international aid charities - to harness the power of AI and increase their impact amid rising demand.

Infoxchange CEO David Spriggs said the initiative was a direct response to growing inequity in access to AI.

“We’re seeing not-for-profits on the frontlines grappling with fewer resources and increasing levels of expectations from the communities they serve,” he said.

“This program is about helping them harness AI in ways that are effective, ethical and tailored to the unique realities of their work, by building long-term capacity, local partnerships and practical pathways to apply AI where it matters.”

A recent Infoxchange survey found that exploring new technology, such as AI, to help achieve their social mission is a top priority for not-for-profits.

Google’s 2024 Gen AI survey also revealed that:

• 67 per cent of Asia Pacific not-for-profits lack funding to deploy or sustain AI tools
  

• 42% report a critical shortage of affordable, diverse local AI talent — 13% above the global average

The funding announcement was made at the recent Philanthropy Asia Summit in Singapore, attended by Infoxchange digital transformation manager Sophie Souchon.

“Over the course of the three days at the Philanthropy Asia Summit, Infoxchange was featured in the Innovation Showcase, where government officials, philanthropists and NFPs alike were given an exclusive opportunity to speak with on-the-ground organisations delivering work at scale,” she said.

“Infoxchange was proud to launch the Asia-Pacific AI Nonprofit Learning Community with support from Google.org — a community designed to build the AI capacity of NFPs across the region.”

The initiative will give not-for-profits access to resources such as self-paced learning libraries, advisory services and an online community group designed to increase collaboration and sharing of ideas.

The cash injection is part of the $12million Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, which supports organisations helping workers, small businesses and not-for-profits make the most of technology in their communities.

Google.org senior director of Asia Pacific, Annie Lewin, said AI offered incredible potential to change the way not-for-profits work, and to amplify their impact.

“AI can help not-for-profits to be more creative, effective, and efficient - freeing up more time to spend on their critical frontline work.”

The Google funding boost follows the recently announced Infoxchange partnership with Microsoft aimed at significantly expanding the online resources available through its Digital Transformation Hub. Infoxchange's hub supports organisations to leverage AI and improve their technology capabilities.

Souchon said Infoxchange was excited to support the sector in understanding AI's potential, using it ethically and making it accessible.

“Whether it's training staff to craft effective prompts, drafting comprehensive AI policies, or designing innovative AI applications, we are committed to increasing the sector's impact." 

More information

Boost for sector AI skills