The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, in collaboration with data.org, has unveiled the five awardees of the prestigious Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate Inclusion (AI2AI) Challenge. This global initiative seeks to identify and support innovative AI-driven solutions that foster inclusion and economic empowerment.

The awardees, selected for their impactful projects spanning regions including Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and South Asia, will each receive a grant of $200,000. In addition to the funding, the recipients will gain access to invaluable technical expertise and mentorship from teams at data.org and Mastercard to help scale their solutions.

The AI2AI Challenge underscores the power of artificial intelligence to drive positive change and create opportunities for underserved communities around the world. Through this initiative, Mastercard and data.org continue their commitment to fostering inclusive growth and empowering individuals through innovative technology.

“Our work in data science has laid the foundation for us to take advantage of the opportunity to develop AI responsibly, equitably, and for the benefit of all” said Shamina Singh, founder and president of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “This cohort of AI2AI Challenge awardees are bringing forward innovative tools, solutions and approaches that will drive inclusive growth and redefine how we use AI for social impact across countries and industries for the coming years.”

Chosen from over 500 applicants across 82 countries, the AI2AI Challenge awardees are addressing critical issues such as the climate crisis, small business development, financial inclusion, and gender equity. These award-winning AI solutions have already shown proven success and are now poised for expansion with the support of additional funding and technical expertise.

“The power of AI to drive impact is tremendous and must be harnessed to ensure its benefits extend to all segments of society,” said Danil Mikhailov, executive director of data.org. “In the data and AI race to be first and move fast, we must thoughtfully strive for inclusive growth that leverages data and AI to tackle the world’s most pressing problems.”

The Challenge gained regional support from Dasra in India and Capital One in the United States, enhancing the geographic diversity of the awardee pool and providing expertise in responsible AI and financial inclusion.

As data.org’s fourth global innovation challenge, the AI2AI Challenge further strengthens the organization’s goal of training one million purpose-driven data practitioners by 2032. Each awardee has committed to sharing or open-sourcing their work, enabling other organizations to replicate and scale their impactful solutions.

The Awardees:

Quipu – Colombia
Quipu harnesses AI to bridge the financial inclusion gap for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Their innovative approach includes a comprehensive onboarding process for MSMEs, a robust scoring model that analyzes non-traditional data, and intelligent credit disbursement and collection systems. By utilizing machine learning algorithms, Quipu’s AI-driven credit scoring model analyzes a wide range of alternative data points, such as mobile transaction histories, social media interactions, SMS, and payment patterns. This allows for a more accurate and inclusive assessment of creditworthiness, especially for businesses often excluded from traditional financial systems.

IDinsight – Ethiopia
In collaboration with Last Mile Health and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, IDinsight has developed an AI-powered call center to provide real-time medical guidance to over 40,000 Health Extension Workers (HEWs). The AI system integrates a case management platform and a question-answering service based on comprehensive Ministry of Health guidelines. It supports call center agents who relay vital information to HEWs in the field. This solution not only enhances the efficiency of health workers but also provides them with new skills, creating pathways for career advancement.

International Rescue Committee – Global
The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Signpost program leverages AI to provide critical information to displaced people affected by conflict, disasters, and poverty. The AI-powered platform facilitates access to life-saving resources through help centers, digital channels, and social media. By enabling IRC and local NGOs to create AI agents, Signpost overcomes language and geographic barriers and delivers scalable support. With pilot projects already underway, IRC plans to expand the platform to select low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Buzzworthy Ventures – India
Buzzworthy Ventures’ BEEKIND is an AI-driven mobile app designed to transform India’s beekeeping ecosystem. By addressing the challenges faced by over 400,000 small-scale beekeepers, BEEKIND improves crop productivity and livelihood sustainability. The platform particularly supports women, small landholders, landless farmers, and tribal populations in rural areas. Using real-time insights and predictive analytics, BEEKIND helps beekeepers adapt to changing climate conditions and optimize hive management, boosting their economic resilience.

Link Health – United States
Link Health uses AI to address the underutilization of federal assistance programs by helping eligible individuals access financial support. Through an AI-powered enrollment platform and chatbot, Link Health facilitates access to $10 million in state and federal benefits. Targeting low-income and marginalized communities, the platform provides a crucial entry point through healthcare settings. The initiative aims to alleviate poverty, reduce financial stress, and promote long-term financial stability, accelerating inclusive growth.