This report explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing from an extensive literature review and ten semi structured interviews, this report investigates how different actors, including philanthropic organizations, public institutions, private sector companies and impact investors fund and implement AI for Good projects.

Key Findings

• Public sector investment is critical but limited, especially for market failures and areas neglected by private capital due to low perceived financial return.
• Philanthropies are shifting from traditional grants toward venture philanthropy emphasizing long-term partnerships, strategic funding, and measurable outcomes.
• Co-financing models are expanding, with philanthropic, public and private actors blending resources to de-risk early stage AI for Good initiatives and increase scalability.
• The digital divide remains a structural barrier, with access to data, compute infrastructure and local technical capacity limiting participation from Global South actors.