Orange and blue swirly patterned banner

AI For Good Lab

“Now is the time for urgent action. Those of us that can do more, should do more. But the challenges we face are complex, and no one company, sector, or country can solve them alone.”

-Brad Smith, Vice Chair & President of Microsoft
The Prompt with Trevor Noah

The Prompt with Trevor Noah

Join Trevor Noah, Microsoft’s Chief Questions Officer, in a thought-provoking series that delves into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) alongside our AI for Good Lab partners. Each episode explores fundamental questions at the heart of AI’s global impact. From shaping public safety, to health and education, the series takes viewers to the forefront of technological advancements, engaging with technologists, engineers, and scientists. These episodes catalyze discussions about the limitless possibilities of AI.

image of a book cover | AI for Good: Applications in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action, and Health
Blue black background banner

Challenges we face

AI4Good - by the numbers image: 33M

33M people are affected by food insecurity.

logo

70% decline in our planet’s wildlife since 1970

AI4Good - by the numbers image: 1.3B

1.3B people or 1 in 6 in the US live with a disability

AI4Good - by the numbers image:

<50% of people globally have access to essential health services.

Stories about our progress

SPARROW project - drawing of an AI tool used for biodiversity monitoring

AI-powered biodiversity monitoring

SPARROW, developed by Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, is a solar-powered, AI-driven system for monitoring biodiversity in remote areas. Using edge computing and advanced sensors, it collects and processes data on wildlife and ecosystems, transmitting real-time insights via satellites to help researchers protect our planet’s biodiversity.

Amazon rainforest with words

Protecting the Amazon

Deforestation threatens millions of species in the Amazon rainforest. By analyzing daily satellite images, monitoring animal behavior with hidden cameras, and listening to forest sounds through tiny microphones, AI rapidly detects changes, helping scientists protect biodiversity more effectively. The future of the Amazon is becoming brighter.

mother feeding child by hand in Africa

Curbing malnutrition with AI

Amref is working with the University of Southern California (USC), the Kenyan Ministry of Health, and Microsoft AI for Good Lab to develop a model that predicts health risks with AI. Each partner institution contributed their expertise to develop a solution that will empower government and humanitarian groups to tackle community health in a new way.  

Trevor Noah looking at inner ear imaging on computer screen

Improving ear health with AI

DrumBeat.ai uses AI to detect ear diseases like otitis media and assess hearing loss risk from ear images. Prioritizing urgent cases and enabling early treatment in remote areas, it improves care access and outcomes—helping prevent lifelong hearing loss, which disproportionately affects Indigenous children due to limited healthcare access.

Image of two women in Ethiopia looking out across the horizon

Identifying vulnerable communities at risk

The AI for Good Lab and IOM use AI and climate data to identify vulnerable communities at risk from extreme heat, flooding, and sea level rise. Pilot projects in Libya, Ethiopia, and the Maldives uncovered insights that empower organizations to anticipate risks, improve resilience, and develop proactive strategies that can be scaled globally.

Image of the Basilica Di San Pietro

Making cultural heritage more accessible

Photogrammetry, AI, and digital preservation combine to create a digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica using thousands of images, enabling people to explore it in detail from anywhere in the world. AI detected cracks and missing mosaic tiles, helping to ensure the preservation of the Basilica as a cultural, spiritual, and historically significant site for years to come.

AI for Good Open Call

The 2025 Microsoft AI for Good Open Call Program supports individuals and organizations creating positive change in Washington State. This two-year program will provide opportunities for scientific collaboration with the Microsoft AI for Good Lab, along with a total of $5 million in Azure service credits.

AI for Good Open Call - collage of Washington State photos and abstracts