Two years of AI for Impact: Equipping civil society for the future
After two years, hundreds of meetings, and a series of tangible prototypes, AI Sweden’s AI for Impact project has come to a close. Funded by Google.org, the initiative aimed to bridge the gap between advanced technology and social sustainability. Through talent programs and hackathons, organizations such as UNICEF, the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, and Mind have developed everything from predictive models for donor behavior to AI tools that summarize mental health research.
Being able to share experiences and perspectives with other organizations has been incredibly valuable. The collaboration and the diverse range of viewpoints have resulted in a final product that is significantly stronger than what we could have achieved on our own.
Martin Tägtström
IT director at the Swedish Red Cross
Experience the journey in 20 minutes
Want to learn more about the resources available or hear directly from the participating organizations? We have produced a film that takes you through the entire project, from the initial ideas to the final results and the lessons we are carrying forward into 2026.
When AI for Impact launched two years ago, the objective was clear: to create a meeting point for those with technical expertise and those with a deep understanding of societal challenges.
If AI has such great potential, why isn’t the technology being used more widely to solve social challenges? That was the question we asked ourselves. Few organizations have all the necessary expertise in-house, and our hypothesis was that we could identify innovative new ways to solve challenges by pairing non-profits with technical talent and experts.
Carl Norling Markai
Project Manager at AI Sweden
The result is a sector better equipped to face the future, backed by new tools and networks. Beyond technical prototypes, the project also focused on strategic and ethical issues. Another key initiative was the "Civil Society Forum for Responsible AI," which produced a toolkit of guidelines that organizations are now using to shape the sector’s AI efforts.
During the final phase of the project, an AI Accelerator was conducted, where 24 organizations received an intensive course in systematic AI implementation. Britta Holmberg from the World Childhood Foundation was one of the participants. She sees clear value in the initiative:
The AI Accelerator gave me the tools, inspiration, and confidence to drive AI integration within Childhood. It was incredibly valuable to take that next step alongside other civil society organizations to understand and explore the potential of AI.
Britta Holmberg
Director Global Programs & Advocacy, Deputy Secretary General at World Childhood Foundation
The project concluded on December 31, 2025. According to Carl Norling Markai, the initiative succeeded in demonstrating that AI is about practical utility in the here and now.
“In the general debate, the focus is often on extremes - that AI will either take our jobs or solve all the world’s problems. For me, this project has served as a compass pointing toward what really matters: concrete solutions to real-world challenges.”
Summarized results from AI for Impact
Talent programs & hackathons: 15 organizations received support to develop AI prototypes (e.g., the Red Cross, WWF, Fryshuset).
Networks: Over 159 participants connected for knowledge exchange.
Toolkit: Launch of the Guidelines for Responsible AI, developed by and for civil society.
Funding: The project was made possible through support from Google.org.
Image from Impact Hack 2025.
Civilsamhällets forum för ansvarsfull AI – ett initiativ från AI Sweden med stöd från Google.org.
Related articles
From strategy to scale: The AI Accelerator elevates civil society’s AI maturity
New guidelines from civil society to counter AI-driven discrimination
The FVO Association wins award for best AI solution at Impact Hack 2025
Impact Hack 2025 brings together Swedish civil society: Aims to solve societal challenges with the help of AI
Impact hack 2025: AI experts and civil society join forces for positive change
Empowering non-profits: Students develop AI solutions to tackle social challenges
Students and non-profit organizations collaborate to harness AI for social good
Follow us
AI Sweden Newsletter
Sign up for the latest in Swedish AI
AI Sweden is formally hosted by Lindholmen Science Park AB.