Written by Darwish Thajudeen and Aminu Mohamed
As another remarkable year draws to a close, we take this moment to reflect with immense gratitude on the collective journey we’ve shared. Together, we have witnessed incredible progress, and none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of extraordinary individuals and organizations like you. We are both sad and honored at the same time to not be able to name every single supporter and their impact on our missions, because 2024 was a year of miracle with tremendous support and recognition from all around. And here is to all our well-wishers.
To our generous donors, your belief in our vision has illuminated our path. Your contributions have allowed us to push boundaries, unlock potential, and create meaningful impact in ways we could only dream of. Your faith inspires us to strive for a better tomorrow, and for this, we are profoundly thankful.
To the remarkable organizations that supported us, your resources, tools, and guidance have amplified our reach and deepened our impact. From providing critical funding and sponsoring team members to sharing knowledge and opportunities, your support has been nothing short of transformative.
To government programs and initiatives, your collaboration has strengthened our ability to drive change on a larger scale. Your encouragement and partnerships have reinforced the power of collective action.
To our incredible leaders and ambassadors, your wisdom, passion, and dedication have steered us through challenges and celebrated our successes. Your guidance has been the cornerstone of our achievements, and we are deeply honored to work alongside you.
To our dedicated volunteers, who have generously given your time, expertise, and heart to our mission, you are the soul of MI4People. Your tireless efforts remind us of the beauty of selflessness, and your commitment continues to inspire.
To our loyal readers and supporters, thank you for amplifying our voice and spreading the word about our mission. Your engagement fuels our passion and motivates us to dream bigger and work harder. Your enthusiasm for our journey energizes us to create and innovate every day.
Each one of you has played an irreplaceable role in shaping this year into one filled with milestones and memories. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for standing with us, believing in us, and propelling us forward. As we look to the future, we do so with hope, ambition, and the assurance that together, we can achieve the extraordinary.
And before you dive into your well-deserved holiday celebrations, we’d love to take a moment to share some highlights from the amazing work we accomplished together this past year.
Our Projects
Marine Litter Detection
The increasing amount of marine litter is a critical issue. Using satellite imagery, we detect ocean waste and display it on a free online map. This enables NGOs to plan cleanup routes, identify optimal recycling locations, trace waste origins, and track its movement. We develop the pipeline, refine AI models, and create the web app. Soon the Adriatic Sea will be screened every 5 days and an organization – Free The Sea which operates in Indonesia – already uses our results to make strategic decisions about planning new plastic recycling stations. You can find our public prototype here.
AI-driven Radiology Assistant for Developing Countries
Radiologists are scarce, especially in developing countries. We are building a web app that analyzes X-ray images and highlights potential areas of concern. Our work focuses on model development and app creation. The first prototype is ready and in the phase of evaluation.
CoVision
This app assists visually impaired individuals in interpreting self-tests (e.g., COVID, pregnancy). We develop AI and applications to ensure accessibility and accuracy. The backend is already ready, and the app is now in development.
AMIGO
Children with rare diseases face challenges in getting a diagnosis and finding treatment options. In collaboration with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), they collect pediatric data and use a federated learning approach to train a model capable of identifying diseases and their causes for personalized medicine. The first developed algorithms are in the test phase.
HOPE
Addiction recovery is a significant challenge. To support therapists in clinics, we are developing an AI that tracks patient progress and suggests therapeutic focal points. We focus on building AI. First model shows promising results. In the next phase, an interface will be developed in close cooperation with several clinics.
AI-driven Cardiology Assistant for Developing Countries
An AI developed by Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) analyzes ECG data with explainability features. This tool is made available in Africa to assist doctors, while collected data is shared for research to improve diagnostics and therapy options. We develop the supporting infrastructure. The prototype will be launched in the next month.
GRAINS
The war in Ukraine has displaced many people and disrupted livelihoods. GRAINS offers free training in hospitality with job placement opportunities. We are building an AI agent that creates educational content to support this initiative. The PoC proved the feasibility. Now we are building an automated pipeline.
Soil Quality Evaluation System
Soil quality insights can significantly enhance crop yields, yet the required technology is often inaccessible in developing countries. Using satellite data, an AI assesses soil quality and provides actionable recommendations. The AI is developed together with Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), and we will make it accessible via a web app.
DOfE
In today’s data-driven world, understanding local realities is crucial. This website provides localized insights into climate, economy, social indicators, and currency trends across Germany’s federal states. By offering clear explanations, we empower citizens with the knowledge to better navigate their daily lives. The platform is already online. https://dofe-mi4people.streamlit.app
WWF and Ghost Nets Detection
Lost fishing nets (ghost nets) pose a threat to marine ecosystems. Traditional detection methods are costly and resource intensive. Therefore, WWF develops an AI-driven system for detection of ghost nets using sonars. We support them by exploring how an AI applied to satellite imagery can help identify lost nets at scale, providing a cost-effective solution.
Cooperation with Thünen Institute on Detecting Marine Litter on the Seafloor (in planning)
Thünen Institute developed a sled-mounted camera system that captures footage of the seafloor. This data will be used to train an AI capable of detecting marine litter on the seafloor.
Cooperation with WordCleanUpDay (in planning)
This annual global event collects waste worldwide. They require a better tracking system for their website and potentially an AI solution for classifying waste. We are exploring options to improve their infrastructure.
We are also in a continuous exchange with further organizations that might benefit from our AI4Good solutions and are exploring possible collaborations.
Our Volunteers
This year, nearly 90 amazing volunteers joined forces to drive our projects and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Our team is a vibrant blend of cultures and perspectives, with volunteers from over 20 countries worldwide! We’re especially proud to be one of the few tech organizations where one in every three volunteers is a proud woman – a true testament to our commitment to diversity.
Your energy, expertise, and generosity are the heartbeat of MI4People. Simply put, we couldn’t do what we do without you! Thank you for being such an incredible part of our journey
Our Financial Situation
This year, your generous donations, along with support from the Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (DSEE), made a huge impact! Thanks to this, we were able to take a big step forward by hiring our first full-time AI Project Lead. Their contribution has been instrumental in managing our projects and helping us achieve a major milestone: securing a substantial grant of around 1 million euros from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action!
This incredible funding will sustain our operations for the next three years, allowing us to grow, professionalize, and scale our work. Together, we’ll continue building innovative AI4Good systems to tackle some of the world’s most pressing social, humanitarian, and ecological challenges.
Plans for the Next Years
With the incredible grant we’ve secured, we’re thrilled to share what’s ahead! Over the next three years, we’ll grow our team to seven dedicated employees, collaborate with around 150–200 amazing volunteers each year, and kick off 35 to 45 impactful AI4Good projects.
Our focus will be on addressing global climate and environmental challenges, ensuring that the power of AI is harnessed for the greater good. This grant will help us take the AI4Good movement to the next level – making sure that the most transformative technological revolution of our time benefits everyone and creates a brighter future for all!
Thank you for being an essential part of this incredible journey!
We wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Let’s continue to make magic happen, one act of care at a time.
With heartfelt gratitude,
MI4People Team
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