In a significant move to redirect the focus of artificial intelligence (AI) investments towards social impact, the GenAI for Good Challenge has been launched by IEEE and ITU. This initiative offers up to $25,000 to teams developing generative AI solutions for critical challenges in health, agriculture, and climate resilience in the Global South.
The challenge is a response to the current trend where the vast majority of the $193 billion in global VC funding for AI startups in 2025 is concentrated in well-funded Silicon Valley firms pursuing commercial applications. The GenAI for Good Challenge seeks to prioritize real-world uses tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, rather than speculative investments.
Three key areas have been identified for the challenge: Agriculture Extension Chatbot in Lesotho, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention in The Gambia, and Extreme Weather Advisor in Bangladesh. The solutions proposed include a mobile-friendly AI assistant for farmers, a multilingual health chatbot, and an AI-powered early warning system for extreme weather events.
The challenge provides a structured pathway from prototype to real-world deployment, leveraging the new ITU GENIE.AI framework. This framework is designed to help public institutions deploy custom generative AI solutions. All submissions must be open-source, promoting transparency and collaborative innovation.
The application process is structured in two phases: narrative proposals followed by functional prototype development for finalists using provided cloud environments. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2025.
This initiative is a critical counter-narrative to the AI investment frenzy, offering a unique opportunity for technologists and innovators to team up with international partners, secure funding, and connect with global networks. The GenAI for Good Challenge aims to build AI solutions with measurable impact on pressing global challenges, marking a significant step towards using AI for social good.