Philanthropy
At Idiap, we believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should serve society as a whole. With a strong focus on research, innovation, and education, we harness the potential of AI to address pressing societal challenges while empowering everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Through philanthropic initiatives, we aim to support cutting-edge research projects and provide individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools to apply AI responsibly and ethically. Together, we can shape a future where AI is a force for good, creating a positive impact for all.
Supporting Women in Science, Research and Engineering
Idiap is committed to promoting gender diversity in science and technology, recognizing the barriers women face in these fields. A diverse research workforce promotes equality, fosters creativity and innovation, and ensures that research addresses the whole of society.
We invite organizations and individuals to support one of the three following philanthropic options to support women and girls in pursuing careers in science, research and engineering:
- Futur en Tous Genres Workshops that promote equality and gender diversity in training, and encourage young people to broaden their professional horizons by inviting them to discover a profession in which their gender is statistically under-represented. Idiap introduces young girls (ages 10-12) from the Canton of Valais to computer science and research by offering workshops to inspire them to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
- Female PhD Student Scholarships that provide financial assistance to exceptional female PhD students in order to foster gender equality and support the research pursuits of talented women, helping them to become an independent researcher in Artificial Intelligence.
- Women in Science Fellowships that support talented female researchers at various career levels in establishing their own research group in the context of one of Idiap’s four research programs (Human-AI Teaming, Sustainable and Resilient Societies, AI for Life, and AI for Everyone). Fellows may be then considered for permanent positions at Idiap, making this an opportunity for long-term career growth.
Supporting women in these fields means directly contributing to creating a more inclusive and diverse future for AI. Idiap will complement the above donation levels to cover the full costs of the positions (2) and (3).
Support an early career researcher
We are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of AI researchers and professionals. To continue advancing ethical AI research, we invite you to support an early-career researcher, such as a research intern, PhD student, postdoctoral fellow, or research associate, through a gift.
Idiap will complement the donation levels to cover the full cost of the position.
Support a research group or a research theme
Idiap offers organizations and individuals the opportunity to contribute to impactful research initiatives by supporting a research group or a specific research theme. Your support will help advance innovative projects that address some of the most critical societal challenges and make a lasting positive impact.
- Establish an Endowed Research Group in honor of Angelo Dalle Molle, founder of Idiap.
Angelo Dalle Molle was a visionary and a true humanist. Over thirty years ago, he believed in the transformative potential of artificial intelligence: at the heart of his vision was the belief that AI should benefit society, driven by values of inclusivity, ethics, and human welfare. In honor of this legacy, we invite you to support the creation of an endowed research group that will continue this mission and deliver direct positive impact on society. - Establish an Endowed Research Group on a research topic aligned with your organization’s mission. By establishing a research group dedicated to a cause that aligns with your company’s values and priorities, you can contribute to the ethical development of AI, creating a lasting impact for society at large.
- Support a Research Theme listed below to address some of the most pressing issues of our time, whether it is supporting cancer research, reducing the environmental footprint, or enhancing privacy for a more ethical AI.
Human Health: using AI technology to fight diseases, to personalize healthcare, and to provide better care for those with health conditions and the elderly population.
Keywords: Cancer, Tuberculosis, Autism, Neurogenerative Diseases, Immunotherapy, Eye Disease, Elderly Care, Depression, Anxiety, Personalized Healthcare.
Environmental Sustainability: AI technology to reduce our impact on the planet, promote a sustainable future, and mitigate the environmental footprint of AI itself.
Keywords: Reducing energy consumption, Reducing the environmental impact of AI, Sustainable resource management.
Assistive Technology: improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities, from developing advanced prosthetics to creating accessible communication tools.
Keywords: Robotics Assistance, Accessible Communication for Disabilities, Robotics in Prosthetics.
Inclusive Democracy: empowering individuals with digital skills and knowledge they need to participate fully in society.
Keywords: Misinformation Detection, Fact-Checking, Digital literacy, AI for participatory governance.
Safety and Protection: ensuring that AI technology is developed and used ethically, respecting privacy, and protecting vulnerable people.
Keywords: Ethics, Bias Control, Privacy-Preserving Technologies, Child Protection.
The full amount of the donation will go to the selected programme.Donors will be invited to special events organized at Idiap, and on-site visits to meet with the fellows and scholars they are supporting. The names of the organizations and individuals supporting this program will appear in Idiap’s annual report. Your donation will not only impact individual researchers but also help shape the future of AI innovation.
For more information on our philanthropic offerings, please contact: sarah.delporte@idiap.ch ..