Artificial Intelligence

Philanthropic Giants Unite on $500 Million Ethical AI Effort

Initiative targets democracy, labor, and digital fairness.

Akul Saxena

Akul Saxena

— 1 min read
Philanthropic Giants Unite on $500 Million Ethical AI Effort
Photo of MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey from the Harvard Gazette.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2025 — A coalition of major philanthropic foundations launched Humanity AI, a $500 million, five-year initiative Oct. 14 aimed at ensuring artificial intelligence advanced public benefit over private gain.

The group included the Ford Foundation, known for its global social-justice work; the MacArthur Foundation, a leading backer of climate and criminal-justice reform; and the Omidyar Network, which funds technology and democracy initiatives. They were joined by the Mellon, Packard, Lumina, Kapor, Doris Duke, Mozilla, and Siegel Family foundations.

“AI .. often feels like it’s happening to us rather than with us and for us,” said John Palfrey, president of the MacArthur Foundation. “The stakes are too high to leave decisions to a handful of companies.”

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Artificial Intelligence Humanity AI Ford Foundation MacArthur Foundation Packard Foundation Mellon Foundation Lumina Foundation Kapor Foundation Doris Duke Foundation Mozilla Foundation Siegel Family Endowment John Palfrey Michele L. Jawando People-Centered AI Philanthropy

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