The MacArthur Foundation has announced $10 million in aligned grantmaking to support Humanity AI, a national initiative dedicated to building a human-centered future in which artificial intelligence (AI) is designed by and for people. Humanity AI brings together a coalition of funders across the arts, labor, democracy, education, and security sectors, aiming to drive more than $500 million in new investments over the next five years. MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey emphasized that humans, as designers, users, and governors of AI, have a unique opportunity to ensure these systems are guided by ethical frameworks and robust safeguards, with philanthropy supporting governance, public understanding, and responsible innovation.
The initiative focuses on several key areas. In democracy, it seeks partnerships and frameworks to safeguard freedoms and advance civic participation. In education, the goal is to ensure AI enhances learning and broadens access to knowledge. Humanities and culture are targeted to protect the work of artists and foster human creativity. In labor and the economy, Humanity AI aims to use AI to complement human work and create inclusive economic opportunities. Security initiatives hold institutions accountable for the safe and responsible deployment of AI. Across these areas, Humanity AI also aims to build knowledge, infrastructure, and public dialogue that prioritize people and the planet over technology alone.
The initial grants reflect these priorities, spanning universities, research institutions, and think tanks. The AI Now Institute received $2 million to scale work on AI and national security. The Brookings Institution’s AI and Emerging Technologies Initiative received $2 million to guide policymakers on AI’s societal impacts. The Data & Society Research Institute was awarded $500,000 to advance civic engagement and public conversations about AI, while the Human Rights Data Analysis Group received $500,000 to develop AI infrastructure for civil society.
Additional grants include $2 million to the London School of Economics and Political Science to support a global forum on AI and social science, $1 million to New America to launch “The Shangri La Series: A Global Dialogue on Shared AI Challenges” focused on AI and geopolitics, and $1 million to the Pulitzer Center to scale its AI Accountability Network for journalists reporting on AI impacts. The Washington Center for Equitable Growth received $1 million to convene stakeholders and advance research on AI’s economic and workforce effects. Collectively, these grants aim to ensure that AI development, policy, and governance remain centered on human well-being, societal benefit, and ethical responsibility.
