Google.org has awarded a $1 million grant to the non-profit organization Karya to help bring AI-driven economic opportunities to low-income communities around the world. This funding will support the development of digital tasks related to artificial intelligence, such as data annotation and language-based AI training, aiming to empower tens of thousands of people, especially in underserved areas.
The grant will enable Karya to create a comprehensive skilling program, blending research-based curriculum with practical learning experiences. This initiative aims to make AI-related jobs accessible to people with limited digital experience. As part of the program, Karya will offer learning materials in 10 major Indic languages, ensuring broader accessibility, particularly in India.
In addition to the curriculum, Karya plans to use generative AI to build a multilingual chatbot, providing real-time support for workers navigating their digital tasks. This will help workers in different regions and languages, addressing local needs.
Alex Diaz, Head of AI for Social Good at Google.org, shared his thoughts on the initiative, saying, “We are bringing our resources and capabilities to ensure that the opportunities AI unlocks are rewarding for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstance. We’re proud to support Karya’s mission in nurturing AI opportunities for underserved communities.”
This grant is part of Google’s broader efforts to support AI education and upskilling in India and beyond. Recently, Google introduced AI Skills House, a program aimed at training 10 million Indians in AI, and awarded $4 million to the Central Square Foundation to raise AI awareness across the country. Additionally, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a $120 million Global AI Opportunity Fund to promote AI education worldwide.
Manu Chopra, CEO of Karya, expressed the organization's belief in the potential of low-income communities to contribute to AI development, saying, “We believe that low-income communities are not only excellent beneficiaries of AI, but they are also excellent builders of AI.” Karya’s digital platform has already created job opportunities for over 50,000 people in rural India, with plans to extend this to over 100,000 more.
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