The L.A.-based Roddenberry Foundation, named in honor of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, announced Tuesday that it is boldly going into the realm of artificial intelligence.
The science-supporting philanthropic organization on Tuesday launched the Roddenberry Prize, a $1 million competition for early-stage ventures using AI “to benefit humanity.”
The prize “embodies the Roddenberry philosophy’s promise of a future in which technology and human ingenuity enable everyone — regardless of background — to thrive,” a foundation statement said. “By empowering entrepreneurs to dream bigger and innovate valiantly, the Roddenberry Prize seeks to catalyze the development of AI solutions that promote abundance and well-being for all.”
Besides being in their early stages, with some seed money already raised, ventures must also be “ethical,” “for good” and “world changing,” the organization said.
“Ventures’ use of AI or machine learning will be fair, transparent, respectful of individual rights and privacy, and will explicitly design against bias or discrimination against individuals, communities, or groups,” according to the foundation’s announcement.
In addition, ventures “will leverage AI’s capabilities to foster beneficial outcomes in various domains, including but not limited to healthcare, education, sustainability, and space advancements” and “be bold, far-reaching, and have a scalable vision to solve global challenges.”
“We believe that building a better future requires a spirit of curiosity, a willingness to push boundaries, and the courage to think big,” said Rod Roddenberry, co-founder of the foundation, son of Gene Roddenberry, and himself a television producer. “The Prize will provide a significant boost to AI pioneers leading these efforts.”
Added board chair and fellow foundation co-founder Heidi Roddenberry, wife of Rod Roddenberry, “As AI becomes more ubiquitous and powerful, we must harness its potential in service of a more prosperous future and towards solving the world’s most critical issues.”
Applications for the $1 million grant are open through July 12 at roddenberryprize.org/. One venture will be awarded the prize in November.
According to its website, the Roddenberry Foundation was “inspired by the life and legacy of Gene Roddenberry” and “supports innovation, risk-taking, and experimentation to disrupt existing dynamics, inspire action, and discover new ways to help the world move towards a better future … for a more equitable, inclusive, and harmonious society.”
Gene Roddenberry died in 1991 in Santa Monica at age 70.