# Artificial Intelligence for Social Innovation An initiative by the Schwab Foundation's Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship charting pathways to the responsible adoption of AI for impact ## Enabling Social Innovators, informing tech leaders AI for Social Innovation is a collaborative initiative bringing together social innovators and technology leaders to accelerate the responsible use of artificial intelligence for social and environmental impact. The initiative fosters dialogue to inform technology roadmaps, equips social innovators with the skills and tools needed to adopt AI, and mobilises financial and in-kind resources to support impactful applications across the ecosystem. **65%** World population with internet access by 2030 **$308bn** Potential value add of AI to the Social Economy **150 million** People potentially benefiting from AI ## Explore our reports Our AI-for-Impact series covers the diverse applications of AI in the social innovation space. ## Featured Report: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Social Innovation in Asia Artificial intelligence (AI) uptake in for-impact applications is highly uneven across Asia. This new report draws on a dataset of more than 2,800 AI-for-impact initiatives across 10 economies. Written in collaboration with Impact Intelligence, EY, Microsoft, and SAP, this insight report provides tailored insights for different ecosystem archetypes based on how state-led or entrepreneurial the system is, and its level of capacity.Available as of 9 June 2026 [Read the full report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/ai-for-impact-the-role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-social-innovation-in-asia/) ### AI for Impact: Strengthening AI Ecosystems for Social Innovation The third report in our AI for Impact series synthesizes insights from a survey of 40 leading technology organizations at the forefront of AI development. It examines the current landscape of AI in social innovation, including its adoption, opportunities, and challenges. The report also draws on data from 300 social innovators across more than 50 countries and 90 initiatives shaping the AI for social innovation ecosystem. [Explore insights](https://www.weforum.org/publications/ai-for-impact-strengthening-ai-ecosystems-for-social-innovation/) ### AI for Impact: The PRISM Framework for Responsible AI in Social Innovation Building on insights from 300+ social innovators and the Presidio Framework, this report introduces the PRISM framework, which provides distinct adoption pathways and case studies that help social innovators, impact enterprises, and intermediaries filter their impact mission, capabilities, and risks against their use of the technology. [Explore insights](https://www.weforum.org/publications/ai-for-impact-the-prism-framework-for-responsible-ai-in-social-innovation/) ### AI for Impact: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Social Innovation The social economy accounts for 7% of global GDP, and generative AI could add $182 billion to $308 billion in value annually to the sector. This report explores how social innovators can better understand, access, and deploy AI by mapping the current state of AI in social enterprises, drawing on 300 examples. It also provides a basis for future thought leadership and practical implementation. [Explore insights](https://www.weforum.org/publications/ai-for-impact-artificial-intelligence-in-social-innovation/) ## Explore case studies Developed in collaboration with Microsoft ### Haqdarshak Haqdarshak is a social enterprise using AI to make social protection more accessible to underserved populations. By combining AI-powered eligibility tools with community-based delivery, the organisation enables personalised support at scale, even in complex and low-resource environments. The solution adapts to user needs in real time and works within existing systems and behaviours. This case study demonstrates how targeted AI applications, combined with trusted delivery models, can help close access gaps and improve outcomes in public service systems. [Explore case study](https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Art_of_AI_for_Impact_Haqdarshak_2026.pdf) ### Geekie Geekie is a social enterprise using AI to personalise learning across large-scale education systems. By analysing student data in real time, the platform adapts content to individual learning levels, supporting both students and teachers in improving outcomes. Integrated into public education systems in Brazil, the solution enables more targeted instruction and data-driven decision-making at scale. This case study shows how AI can be embedded into existing systems to improve equity and effectiveness in education. [Explore case study](https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Art_of_AI_for_Impact_Geekie_2026.pdf) ### Shayp Shayp is a technology driven social enterprise focused on reducing water waste in buildings through AI powered monitoring. Its solution combines easy to install sensors with machine learning that detects anomalies in near real time, enabling building managers to move from reactive to preventive maintenance. Now active across thousands of buildings, Shayp delivers measurable water and cost savings while supporting climate and sustainability goals. Developed and scaled with support from partners including Microsoft, this case study illustrates how AI can be deployed as core infrastructure for environmental impact, particularly when supported by strong corporate and ecosystem collaboration. [Explore case study](https://weforum.box.com/s/z10x1n0rravtvzvq6dqpq2qx57skhz83) ### High Resolves High Resolves is a social enterprise using AI to make personalised learning accessible to students facing educational disadvantage. By combining adaptive AI tutors with flexible, low cost delivery channels, the organisation enables one to one style support at scale, even in low resource settings. Deployed across multiple countries, the solution adapts to individual learners in real time and works within existing digital habits, including messaging platforms. High Resolves demonstrates how targeted AI applications and corporate partnerships can help close learning gaps and extend high quality education to those who need it most. [Explore case study](https://weforum.box.com/s/1cftdv9z528ne3tcvk0vh88koyvjzhf9) ### Founderz Founderz is an education platform using AI to expand access to future ready skills, with a strong focus on inclusion. Through the AI Skills 4 Women initiative, Founderz and Microsoft provide free, multilingual AI education for women with no prior technical background. Backed by Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact, the programme combines AI driven personalisation, trusted content, and recognised credentials to support women at scale. This case study highlights how responsible AI and strong partnerships can help close structural gaps in skills, opportunity, and participation in the AI driven economy. [Explore case study](https://weforum.box.com/s/5z6l0wwm2rwy4u7n2oymuaj0vhk2h3t4) ### Understanding the use of AI for Social Innovation Artificial Intelligence has been widely praised for its impact potential. The Landscape Report on Artificial Intelligence in Social Innovation highlights the current landscape of AI in social innovation, its prevalence, opportunities, and challenges. The report draws on insights from an extensive dataset of 300 social innovators across more than 50 countries, as well as 90 initiatives that form the ecosystem of AI for social innovation. Its analysis reveals nearly equal representation of AI applications across high- and low-income regions, underscoring AI’s universal potential to address diverse societal issues. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/ai-for-impact-artificial-intelligence-in-social-innovation/) ### 3000+ Social Innovators The report features 300 social innovators who already apply Artificial Intelligence for impact purposes. ### 90 initiatives across the world 90 ecosystem initiatives, conferences and publications are mapped to highlight their geographic diversity and impact on the UN SDGs. ### 49% low- and middle-income countries The sample features almost the same number of social innovators from LMICs and High-Income Countries. ### 1 in 4 Social Innovators in Healthcare Over 25% of social innovators deploy Artificial Intelligence to support social impact in the healthcare space. ### 68% of Social Innovators deploy ML Over two thirds of all social innovators are deploying Machine Learning as the primary AI capability, followed by Predictive Analysis. ### 80% of Social Innovators for economic empowerment in LMICs Four in five social innovators who are deploying AI and are focused on economic empowerment are based in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. ## Where Social Innovators apply AI for impact The dashboard below highlights a subset of the data provided in the landscape report. The dataset of 300 social innovators reveals a high geographic diversity and almost equal split between Low-/Middle-Income Countries and High-Income Countries. *Interactive visualization or embedded content* ## Impact areas and AI capabilities Our research found three primary impact areas where AI is making significant contributions: healthcare, with over 25% of innovators using AI to advance access to health; environmental sustainability, with 21% of social innovators applying AI to tackle climate change solutions; and economic empowerment, notably prevalent in lower-income countries where 80% of all initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods are based. But AI is also revolutionising practices in other areas such as agriculture through predictive analytics and precision farming, addressing climate resilience and boosting productivity. While Machine Learning is the most deployed AI capability, nearly 15% of social innovators are deploying some form of Natural Language Processing. The most prevalent combination of AI capabilities is the joint application of ML and NLP. *Interactive visualization or embedded content* ## Regional Deep-DiveAI for Impact in Asia This dashboard provides a dynamic overview of initiatives using artificial intelligence to deliver social and environmental impact across 10 focus countries in Asia. The dataset was developed through large-scale media monitoring, scanning more than 200,000 news sources in English and relevant local languages to identify articles matching defined “AI for Impact” search criteria.Articles were then analyzed at the initiative and stakeholder level. For each unique stakeholder driving an initiative, data was extracted on impact areas, entity type, type of technology used, and an impact score indicating whether impact is the primary objective.Focus countries: China, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia. [Explore the full dataset](https://public.tableau.com/views/AIForGoodInAsia/ReducedOverview?:embed=y&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link) *Interactive visualization or embedded content* ## Initiators and supporters The initiative builds on a diverse group of stakeholders with experience in AI and social innovation. It is co-initiated by Microsoft and the Schwab Foundation's Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, with support from the EY Ripples Program and SAP. *Partner organizations and sponsors*