Activate AI: Economic Opportunity Challenge

The Activate AI: Economic Opportunity Challenge is a global call for innovative AI applications that empower people and communities, and that unlock economic opportunity for a resilient future.

With the launch of this challenge, data.org and Zoom are seeking out projects that drive AI workforce development and organizational capacity, develop pathways to create future friendly jobs leveraging data and AI, and build climate resilient communities for a green economy.

Purpose: Global call for AI applications that empower people and communities to unlock economic opportunity. Focus areas:

• AI workforce development & organizational capacity
• Pathways to future‑friendly jobs leveraging data & AI
• Building climate‑resilient communities for a green economy Support:
• Grants (anchor + regional/community)
• Mentorship and visibility through data.org and Zoom networks
• Q&A sessions: November 13 and December 9, 2025 (overview + application guidance) Awards:
• By participating in this Challenge, you may receive recognition, in-kind support, and grant funding from data.org. In-kind support may include data science talent, staff training, technical assistance, media production, marketing, and software or infrastructure licenses.
• At least five winners (each an “Awardee”) will receive a combination of $115,000 USD in grant funding and in-kind support (each, an “Award”), issued under a grant agreement with data.org.

• Organizations, nonprofits, and innovators applying AI for social/economic impact
• Projects must align with workforce development, equitable opportunity, or climate resilience
• Must demonstrate scalability and community impact