IBM, C40 Cities and Group on Earth Observations collaborate on new AI project for resilient cities

IBM (NYSE: IBM), C40 Cities and the Group on Earth Observations today announced a new collaboration through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator aimed at scaling up social innovation action in cities around the world. In alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, the new project will develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to advance city resiliency and address specific challenges facing urban communities.

At the beginning of 2024, IBM held a request for proposals (RFP) for nonprofit and government organizations, focused on technology-driven projects to advance city resiliency. Out of more than 100 applicants, C40 Cities was one of five organizations selected to participate in this new cohort of IBM Sustainability Accelerator projects.

Participants were selected for their significant level of support to the communities they serve, as well as the innovative ways each organization plans to leverage AI technology to build more resilient cities. Each organization will receive up to $3 million in cash and in-kind donations of technology and services.

With support from the Group on Earth Observations , IBM and C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities, will work together to create a data-driven, AI-powered solution to help cities analyze potential risks that may arise as a result of extreme heat and the urban heat island effect. These can include stressed energy resources, increases in mortality rates, and socioeconomic disparities. The new solution will aim to enable cities to create adaptation strategies to help alleviate population health risks and economic burdens, while strengthening national resilience efforts. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy will also support this project.

“As cities grow and temperatures continue to rise around the world, so do the challenges of extreme heat and its impact on urban populations. At the Group on Earth Observations, we are committed to turning Earth Intelligence into action by equipping communities with the data they need to build resilience. Through our collaboration with C40 and IBM as part of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, we will test initial ideas from GEO’s Global Heat Resilience Service to demonstrate how AI-powered insights and geospatial data can help cities mitigate heat risks and protect vulnerable communities. This is a critical step towards creating cooler, safer and more liveable cities for all,” said Yana Gevorgyan, Group on Earth Observations Secretariat Director.

The IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social innovation program that applies IBM technologies, such as hybrid cloud and AI, and an ecosystem of experts to enhance and scale nonprofit and government organization initiatives, accelerating economic impact for communities vulnerable to climate stress .

“AI has the potential to unlock a new economic and innovation era for communities worldwide, helping people tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. We believe that much of this potential to improve people’s lives resides in transforming cities, and this is what we are aiming to do with our AI technology and expertise,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer.

IBM, C40 Cities and the Group on Earth Observations will collaborate over two years and in two phases. The first phase will begin with the IBM Garage, IBM’s proven methodology for accelerating digital transformation and delivering meaningful, measurable, outcomes. Next, during the Development and Implementation phase, IBM experts will configure IBM resources and technology to help participants meet their goals, as well as support pilot deployments in communities and facilitate further scaling.

As part of this IBM Sustainability Accelerator cohort, EY teams will provide general capacity building workshops and coaching to the resilient city cohort, supporting these innovative organizations on their mission to make cities more sustainable, equitable, and resilient.

To date, 20 organizations have been part of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator supporting vulnerable populations around the world. As of last year, IBM has supported approximately 65,300 direct beneficiaries through our sustainable agriculture cohort, with approximately 1.1 million more projected to benefit from our clean energy cohort. And, we expect these resilient cities projects will benefit thousands of citizens across the world.

About the IBM Sustainability Accelerator

Launched in 2022, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social innovation program that supports communities facing environmental and economic stress around the world, through technologies like AI and an ecosystem of experts. Each year, the program selects five new projects to develop and scale technology and AI solutions addressing topics like sustainable agriculture, clean energy, water management, resilient cities or sustainable consumption and production.

For more information and media enquiries, contact: mcrook.ext@geosec.org