Humanity AI Invests $500 Million in People-Centered Future

A broad coalition of philanthropic leaders today announced the launch of Humanity AI, a $500 million five-year initiative aimed at guaranteeing that individuals have a stake in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative will see ten of the country’s most influential foundations, including the Doris Duke Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kapor Foundation, and others, mobilizing resources to ensure AI serves humanity, fortifying communities and enhancing human creativity.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, pressing questions arise regarding its implications. Workers face uncertainties about whether AI will enhance their performance or threaten their jobs. Similarly, artists are grappling with concerns regarding the valuation of their contributions and the protection of their intellectual property amidst the rise of AI-generated art. Moreover, there are legitimate fears regarding AI’s potential risks to national security and personal safety.

John Palfrey, president of the MacArthur Foundation, expressed the urgency of addressing these challenges: “Every day, people learn more about the ways AI is impacting their lives, and it can often feel like this technology is happening to us rather than with us and for us. The stakes are too high to defer decisions to a handful of companies and their leaders.” The Humanity AI initiative seeks to catalyze a shift in this dynamic, focusing on empowering technologists, researchers, and advocates who share a vision of ensuring AI functions as a force for good.

Funding Priorities and Areas of Focus

The Humanity AI coalition has identified five key priorities for funding, which include:

• Democracy: Developing new partnerships and frameworks for AI to strengthen and protect democratic values.
• Education: Ensuring that AI is implemented in educational contexts in a manner that promotes access and enriched learning experiences.
• Humanities and Culture: Emphasizing that AI should enhance rather than replace human creativity, including safeguarding the rights of artists and creators.
• Labor and Economy: Aiming to use AI in ways that enhance work rather than displace human workers, ensuring economic systems benefit all demographics.
• Security: Holding AI developers accountable for maintaining safety and security standards within the innovations they create.

As the coalition moves forward, it aims to incorporate diverse voices and perspectives on the social and cultural impacts of AI. Aligned grantmaking efforts are expected to commence in fall 2025, channeling new investments that reflect the coalition’s commitment to these critical issues.

A Call to Action and Future Engagement

Michele L. Jawando, president of the Omidyar Network, stressed the necessity of human agency in shaping AI’s trajectory: “The future will not be written by algorithms. It will be written by people as a collective force. We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now will determine whether AI enhances or undermines our human needs. That future is ours to design.” This poignant remark highlights the importance of an inclusive approach in AI development.

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) will oversee the management of the Humanity AI fund, which aims to pool grants and support the initiative’s goals through effective engagement with funders. Starting in 2026, Humanity AI will begin dispensing grants sourced from this pooled fund.

Additionally, the MacArthur Foundation is establishing a new “Director of AI Opportunity” position to guide its Big Bet Program, which focuses on expanding the accessibility and benefits of AI within the economy and workforce.

Organizations interested in joining the effort can sign up for updates and access grant application information. Humanity AI continues to welcome additional funders committed to creating a society where individuals and communities can shape their futures through equitable AI development.