Government partners with Google and NGO to promote AI for nonprofits

Despite claiming to support environmental sustainability the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is partnering with Google and an Irish NGO to promote AI in the nonprofit sector.  

Last month NGO Rethink Ireland opened applications for the AI for Good Fund, which aims “to support not-for-profit organisations working to better understand and adopt AI” – with successful applicants getting up to €15,000 to “support their AI adoption journey”. 

Scientists have repeatedly warned about the environmental impact of AI, while the CEOs of AI companies have openly claimed the technology may wipe out humanity itself. 

Water for 1.3 billion people

By 2030 AI will use the same volume of water to match the needs of 1.3 billion people while its use of power will be triple the needs of 650 million people, according to a study published in June by the United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Environmental groups are eligible to apply with the grant’s application form including "Environment, Sustainability, & Conservation" as a category. 

The Department of Rural and Community Development says in its mission statement that it supports sustainable development in inclusive and resilient communities, by embracing their “environmental features”. 

For this AI for Good Fund, Rethink Ireland – whose website says it backs “innovative nonprofits and social enterprises tackling some of Ireland’s most pressing social and environmental challenges” – says it will split a €1.75 million fund among up to 30 awardees.

Funds will be distributed to the winners from the state Dormant Accounts Fund, which uses cash from unused bank accounts for social purposes. 

After the launch of government’s 2019 Climate Action Plan then-minister for rural and community development Michael Ring pledged that the department ensure low-carbon projects were prioritised. 

Meanwhile government’s Our Rural Future 2026-2031 public consultation document says a greener rural future is “essential – not only to protect the environment and safeguard livelihoods, and strengthen food security, but also to create new opportunities for jobs, innovation and investment” 

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Rethink Ireland have been contacted for comment.