Economic upheavals, unequal power relations and ecological crises are making life more difficult for people around the world and making it necessary to find new ways of providing humanitarian aid and development cooperation. Artificial intelligence can help in this regard, provided the technology is developed in collaboration with those who will benefit from it. 

Ars Electronica and CARE Austria are launching the AI for Social Impact Initiative. Awards will be given to interdisciplinary projects exploring how AI can bring about positive social, ecological and humanitarian change. Awards will be given to interdisciplinary projects exploring how AI can bring about positive social, ecological and humanitarian change, in areas such as climate resilience, food security, health, education and crisis management. The focus is on practical relevance: people must be given targeted support, or specific challenges must be addressed. Particular consideration will be given to projects from Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the MENA region, or those developed with partners from these regions.

A total of four winners will be honoured: Two projects will receive €5,000 each and two others will receive €2,500 each. Projects will be selected from all submissions to the Prix Ars Electronica 2026 and the S+T+ARTS Prize 2026.

Source: Ars Electronica Press