IBM has selected five urban-focused nonprofit organizations to participate in its two-year Sustainability Accelerator program, aiming to enhance urban resilience and sustainability through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid cloud technologies. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Selected Organizations and Their Initiatives:
- C40 Cities: A global network of nearly 100 mayors collaborating to address climate change. With IBM’s support, C40 Cities plans to develop an AI-powered solution to analyze risks associated with extreme heat and the urban heat island effect, aiding cities in formulating effective mitigation strategies.
- Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy: An Indian nonprofit dedicated to urban governance and citizen engagement. The organization aims to create a city data and analytics platform that consolidates urban data, enabling decision-makers to optimize resource allocation and enhance sustainability in urban development. AI Business
- Kota Kita: An Indonesian organization focused on promoting sustainable and equitable urban development. Collaborating with IBM, Kota Kita intends to develop AI models that assess factors such as natural disasters, population growth, and access to clean water, thereby strengthening community resilience against climate-related challenges.
- Mass General Brigham: A U.S.-based nonprofit hospital and physician network. In partnership with IBM, Mass General Brigham seeks to create an AI tool capable of predicting hyperlocal extreme heat events, identifying at-risk patients, and issuing automated warnings to facilitate proactive healthcare interventions.
- United Nations World Food Programme (WFP): The WFP plans to enhance its GeoTar geospatial tool with advanced AI capabilities. This enhancement aims to improve the organization’s ability to create vulnerability maps, thereby optimizing operational decisions related to food security, especially in urban areas susceptible to environmental disasters.
Through the Sustainability Accelerator program, IBM will provide these organizations with access to its technology and expertise, facilitating the development and scaling of innovative solutions to address pressing urban challenges. IBM Newsroom
