The following is a guest post by Kevin Barenblat, co-founder at Fast Forward, accelerating AI-powered nonprofits.

In the rapidly evolving world of AI, a new trend is emerging.

Supported by technology leaders like Google.org, Reid Hoffman, The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, and Salesforce, this trend transcends the pursuit of financial gain. Instead, it harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) for the greater good of humanity. The builders leading this movement? AI-powered nonprofits (APNs). 

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, eloquently summarizes the essence of this movement:

“AI offers us our most promising path forward to face challenges like climate change, inequality, pandemic outbreaks, or criminal justice reform.”

Contrary to the stereotype that nonprofits are technology laggards, APNs are all in on cutting-edge AI solutions. 

Data from Google also reveals a compelling story: AI enables nonprofits to achieve their goals in one-third the time and at half the cost. This efficiency is leading to an impact on a previously unimaginable scale. APNs are the key to unlocking solutions to a myriad of global challenges.

As we look toward the future, it’s clear that AI-powered nonprofits are not just participating in the AI revolution – they are actively shaping it. 

Enter: 2024. I spoke to the leaders of AI-powered nonprofits to get their take on the year ahead and where technology and humanity will converge for the greater good.

AI to rapidly identify new treatments for life-threatening diseases.

In 2024, generative AI is expected to significantly de-risk drug development and expedite the process of delivering new therapies to patients with life-threatening diseases. A vast untapped potential lies in the extensive data on existing drugs, which could be repurposed to treat common types of cancer. By leveraging AI, we can pinpoint the most promising generic drugs for repurposing, thereby creating more affordable cancer treatment options for patients worldwide. – Laura Kleiman, Founder and CEO, Reboot Rx

2024 will be the year of ethical data.

I predict that the discourse surrounding AI will shift decisively towards the ethical sourcing of data. As AI becomes more integrated into our routines, the questions of where our data comes from and the standard of living for those inputting data into the systems will become unavoidable. Ethical data isn’t just a preference; it’s the future. Companies that neglect this will find themselves at a crossroads. 

Similar to how we think about biases, misinformation, and AI hallucinations today, our attention will focus on data that feeds the algorithms – the faces behind the data. After all, the input of AI determines its output. As we navigate through 2024, addressing the ethics of data sourcing and understanding its implications will be central to shaping a responsible and inclusive AI future. This will ensure that every individual contributing to this ecosystem benefits from AI and is empowered by it. – Vivek Seshadri, Co-Founder and CTO, Karya

Text-based AI interfaces provide an opportunity to help close the digital divide…and avoid an impending AI divide.

Ten years ago, when we began building equitable, offline-first educational technology for the two-thirds of the world who didn’t have Internet access, many people told us to wait and the gap would close naturally. But we knew that unless we proactively built bridges to ensure everyone could be included in the benefits of new technologies, each innovation cycle would leave people further behind. 

Today, more than 2.9 billion people are still without the Internet, and the Internet growth rate has slowed. However, one of the exciting things about text-based AI interfaces is that we can now leverage low-connectivity channels like SMS to bridge high-tech online innovations to communities who would otherwise not have access. 

So the big push in 2024 will be finding ways to support building capacity and awareness around the potential benefits and effective use of these tools and finding equitable funding models to ensure free access for all so it doesn’t become yet another tool that further entrenches the advantages of those who already have the most. – Jamie Alexandre, Co-Founder and Executive Director Learning Equality

Green AI will become a significant priority for companies in 2024.

It is no secret that the environmental implications of AI are vast—a single model’s training can produce emissions equivalent to five American cars throughout their lifespans. This is why AI is often compared to the oil industry. 

In 2024, there will be a concerted effort to make these models more environmentally friendly using alternative training methods. This cannot be solely a grassroots initiative; it must come from the top. Executives must be prepared to allocate resources and adjust models, not just to meet their CSR goals, but for the betterment of the planet. – Gemma Turon, Co-Founder and CEO, Ersilia.

People will start using ChatGPT and other generative AI tools as therapists – for better and worse.

We are just at the tip of the iceberg. By 2024, the landscape of AI-powered therapy will evolve even further. We will see more AI-driven tools to help human therapists be more effective and productive. But we will also see more people using AI as a therapist, without a human in the loop, despite the risks. 

I regularly hear from people who use ChatGPT for their therapy. Some claim it is better than human therapists they’ve had in the past. They can turn to it anytime, day or night, and have far more control over the experience. This includes modifying the therapeutic modality and even the AI therapist’s personality — I know someone who designed their AI therapist to resemble an Animal Crossing character. I have also seen people use AI to enhance their journaling experience. 

Some of these innovations may lead to more effective and engaging therapeutic experiences while broadening access to mental health support. On the other hand, there are many risks to consider. AI cannot yet diagnose or address severe mental health issues. People may use AI for therapy in ways that overlook deeper, root issues, and people may become over-reliant on these technologies over time, leading to unhealthy attachments. Further research is needed, and we must be cautious in deploying these technologies, especially to those who are most vulnerable. – Rob Morris, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Koko

AI will further revolutionize education in 2024.

Rather than traditional, multiple-choice questions, technology will interact with students at a greater clip. AI will have real, conceptual conversations with students to understand their progress. This advancement will make education more individualized and holistic, aligning with each learner’s unique journey. It will no longer be as simple as “right” and “wrong” answers. 

AI will grow with a student at their own speed to help them every step of the way. For example, when a student is learning division, AI can chat with them to ensure they have the basics down, like subtraction, addition, and carrying over, before mastering division. This tech-led way of learning will have a dose of play-based, discovery-focused techniques while still containing a structured lesson plan to help kids reach their goals. – Vishal Sunil, Co-Founder and CTO, Rocket Learning

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