Google-Backed Seed Fund to Sponsor Indian AI Innovators for Climate Change Solutions

The provision of funds will facilitate their exploration of new applications for cutting-edge technologies, including AI and machine learning, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by extreme water scarcity and flooding in India.

Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) established the seed fund. According to a Google.org release, Gujarat Mahila Housing Sewa Trust will utilize the cash to construct an AI-enabled model for creating climate resilience in Amalner, Maharashtra, pioneering the mapping of land use and catchment areas to anticipate susceptibility to floods and inundation.

The Villgro Innovation Foundation will support their collaboration with CultYvate to develop a mobile and browser-based application, as well as artificial intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) models, that will deliver real-time insights for optimal irrigation management and water conservation to farmers in India.

"At Google, we are deeply committed to building sustainability into everything we do, and to supporting organizations that have taken up the cause of positive climate action," said Sanjay Gupta, Country Head and Vice-President of Google India. "The vulnerability of India to harmful climate impacts is a major concern for all of us, and there is an urgent need to support all efforts to overcome dangers."

According to the statement, AVPN is the world's largest social investor network in Asia-Pacific, and it established the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank to help local organizations develop sustainable practices and combat the effects of climate change across APAC, such as heat waves, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss.

"MHT aims to develop an AI-enabled model for flood resilience of smaller cities in India that focuses on the needs of low-income women," stated Bharati Bhonsale, Programme Manager, Gujarat MHT. This will serve as a model for over 310 rapidly urbanizing small towns in India.

It will help India meet SDG targets for sustainable cities and communities, lowering disaster economic losses in relation to global GDP by 2030."

"We at Villgro, along with our portfolio company and project partner, CultYvate, have identified a solution whose power lies in technology designed for easy adoption and affordability," stated Maithili Rege, Associate Lead for Agriculture, Villgro Innovation Foundation. We intend to provide this technology to 1000s, and eventually 100,000s, of smallholder farmers, allowing them to rethink paddy agriculture."