Discourse on AI and philanthropy remains mainly concentrated in Western countries, creating a knowledge gap that limits perspectives from regions in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. The Asia-Pacific Meeting on AI and Philanthropy aims to address this gap, broadening the dialogue at the intersection of AI and philanthropy beyond Western regions. Through knowledge sharing, networking and practical applications the meeting will create the necessary space for local philanthropic organisations, researchers and policy-makers to collaboratively address specific challenges such as data accessibility, infrastructure limitations and cultural sensitivities surrounding technology deployment.

Adopting a local approach while maintaining a global outlook, the meeting will ensure that the conference’s agenda is in alignment with the local reality and addresses the topics, needs and conversations surrounding AI and philanthropy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific AI and Philanthropy Meeting will be convened by Prof. Giuseppe Ugazio and Milos Maricic, who have together edited The Routledge Handbook of Artificial Intelligence and Philanthropy.

We plan to have two panel discussions: the first on AI for Philanthropy will expose and discuss the status and main areas of AI adoption by regional philanthropic organisations, including challenges and opportunities, as well as the associated risks of AI adoption, challenges in adaptability and optimisation of tools; the second on ethical and inclusive AI empowered by philanthropy will explore the role of philanthropic organisations as actors of positive social change, where participants will discuss the potential and responsibility of philanthropic organisations in supporting the development of AI systems that are ethical and inclusive from their inception.

The discussions will be followed by a public lecture and a networking dinner. Drawing on her experience heading the Aapti Institute, Dr. Sarayu Natarajan’s lecture will examine how philanthropic institutions (and sometimes individual and corporate action) can nurture local research ecosystems, support public-interest innovation and strengthen policy and institutional frameworks around important themes like safety and bias. She will also interrogate AI’s implications for communities and individuals and concepts like civil society and democratic resilience, highlighting where philanthropic vigilance and advocacy are most needed.

If you are a stakeholder who is familiar with this landscape or are interested in learning more for the benefit of your organisation, please request an invite here. If you are interested in attending the public lecture, register here.