How can AI help accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Apr 8, 2024
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Kate Garvey, Project Everyone Co-Founder, and Google's Matt Brittin discuss the progress and challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They highlight the role of AI in achieving the Goals globally, emphasizing data monitoring, technology in healthcare, and citizen engagement for progress.
Collaboration with entities like Google helped Project Everyone reach 3 billion people to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Technology, especially AI and innovation, plays a critical role in accelerating progress towards achieving the UN goals.
Deep dives
Project Everyone's Efforts to Make UN's Sustainable Development Goals Famous
Project Everyone, founded by Kate Garvey, aimed to raise public awareness of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Initially, the challenge was to make the 17 goals recognizable by creating a brand identity for them, including icons, shortened names, and symbols. By collaborating with entities like Google, Project Everyone reached 3 billion people through various promotional activities and events with influential figures like Shakira and the Pope. Despite significant outreach, only 15% of the goals are on track, highlighting the need for continued efforts to keep the goals prominent among decision-makers, civil society, and businesses.
Current Progress and Challenges in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
At the halfway mark of the 14-year timeline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, only 15% are on track, indicating significant challenges. Data analysis by Google's data commons revealed the progress status of each goal, emphasizing the importance of tracking with data. Various factors, including the global pandemic and political conflicts, have contributed to the slow progress. Despite some improvements in child mortality and life expectancy, critical areas like maternal health still face obstacles due to funding shortages and implementation issues.
Role of Technology, AI, and Innovation in Advancing the Development Goals
Technology, particularly AI and innovation, plays a crucial role in accelerating progress towards the UN goals. Efforts like Google DeepMind's work on AI and science showcase breakthrough opportunities in areas such as health technology and protein structure modeling. Innovations like alpha-folds have revolutionized disease research by significantly speeding up the process of analyzing protein structures. The accessibility and transformative potential of AI, coupled with advancements in data analysis, offer promising solutions for addressing global challenges such as food security and health.
Project Everyone Co-Founder Kate Garvey began working with the United Nations ten years ago to help build awareness and support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an agenda of 17 Goals that aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Kate and Google’s President of EMEA Matt Brittin discuss where we are today, and the role of AI in helping to achieve the Goals globally, reflecting on the exciting progress that’s been made, the substantial work ahead, and the value of collaboration across sectors.