What is Data and AI for Social Impact?

Building on a longtime commitment to using technology to spur positive social change, IBM launched this initiative to help nonprofit organizations achieve a greater impact on individuals and society. A data-driven approach, guided by some of the most creative minds at IBM, can help you meet your goals and make the world a better place for all of us.

Let’s solve problems with science

Data and AI for Social Impact builds on groundwork laid by IBM Research’s Science for Social Good program, based on the premise that applied science and technology can solve the world’s toughest problems by accelerating the rate and pace of solutions through the scientific method. Now we’re taking that concept further, offering the expertise of IBM’s most creative minds to help nonprofit organizations of all kinds use data analytics and AI to meet their goals.

Science for Social Good

Your data holds enormous potential

Nonprofit organizations with advanced analytics capabilities report they are more effective and successful in fulfilling their mission. The insights they garner by capturing and using data help them better understand what their beneficiaries need and how they use its programs, engage volunteers more efficiently, and fine-tune fundraising efforts. But too often, those capabilities are beyond the reach of the agencies that need them most. Through Data and AI for Social Impact, IBM puts them within reach.

Assess your current capabilities

We’ve created an online assessment tool to help determine where your organization stands in its ability to gather and use data effectively. Once you complete the assessment, you’ll be connected to resources and assets that can launch your journey toward getting maximum value out of your data.

Take the assessment

Featured success stories

Urban Institute and IBM team up to fight inequality using AI

Measuring neighborhood change in a timely manner is critical for enabling the actions necessary to prevent community displacement and encourage inclusive growth. Working with IBM and using IBM Cloud Pak for Data, the Urban Institute developed a new, highly accurate method for predicting and measuring gentrification.

Read the story

Building financial security for low-income communities

Systemic barriers to financial inclusion are real, particularly for Black and Brown women. Working with IBM and using IBM Cloud Pak for Data and the IBM Watson Studio, Change Machine, a nonprofit tech organization, tackles these issues head-on.

Read the story

Learn more about the clients leveraging AI for social impact

IBM spearheaded an incubator to explore the use of AI in facilitating the work of social impact organizations. See how data is being used to bring new solutions to longstanding challenges

Read their stories

Engagement model for social impact organizations

Engagement model

Nonprofit organizations that are ready to reap the benefits of taking a deep dive into data science can be considered for an engagement with IBM.

With expertise in research, data and AI, design and ethics, some of IBM’s most accomplished professionals will work hands-on with nonprofits to help them acquire the skills, methods and tools they need to ignite their journey to AI, so they can better tackle the societal challenges they face.

Get notified when applications are being accepted

Learn about the Data Science and AI Elite team

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Start your journey to AI

Take the first step with the online assessment tool, and get ideas to plot a course for success with recommendations to get you started.

Tools for your organization

IBM offers a portfolio of tools, applications and solutions designed to reduce the costs and hurdles of AI adoption while optimizing outcomes and responsible use of AI

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