Microsoft is opening its doors to AI developers who can help the planet

Microsoft will work with organisations in the UK to develop artificial intelligence that helps the planet and people with disabilities, the company has announced at Future Decoded. Lucas Joppa, Microsoft's Chief Environmental Officer, used his keynote speech at the London event to launch the second AI for Good programme and invited ventures to apply. The four-month accelerator will have space for 12 start-ups, charities, social enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses that have a social mission. It will give them credits for Azure, Microsoft's cloud platform, a curriculum designed by Microsoft Startups, Social Tech Trust and Microsoft, access to workshops that will help develop their products and bring them to the market, and contact with relevant speakers. "AI is one of the most important tools we have to accelerate innovation at the speed and scale we need to address climate change and other important societal challenges," Joppa said.