Meta Awards $800,000 To Empower Farmers, Mothers With Llama 2 And 3 AI

Meta has announced the recipients of its 2023 Llama Impact Grants and the Llama Impact Innovation Awards, highlighting the power of open-source AI to address global challenges.
The program received over 800 submissions from organizations across 90 countries, showcasing innovative solutions leveraging Llama models for education and environmental initiatives.
Digital Green, in partnership with One Acre Fund, will receive a $500,000 grant to develop “Farmer Chat,” a multilingual AI chatbot that provides personalized agricultural advice to small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fine-tuned on a vast agricultural data repository, Llama will adapt to the specific needs of different regions and provide comprehensive answers in languages like Hindi, Swahili, and Kikuyu.
Runner-up Jacaranda Health will receive $300,000 to expand its digital health tool, PROMPTS. This SMS-based platform uses behavioural nudges and an AI-enabled helpdesk to empower new and expecting mothers in Kenya, Ghana, and Iswatini, ensuring they access essential healthcare at the right time.
In addition to the Llama Impact Grants, three organizations received the Llama Impact Innovation Awards, each earning up to $35,000 in funding, mentorship, and partnership opportunities.
• HelpMum’s Vax-Llamamodel: This open-source AI model delivers accurate and timely information on vaccination and immunization via a chatbot, leveraging Llama 3’s advanced language processing capabilities.
• Tanzania AI Community’s Twiga: This WhatsApp-based chatbot acts as a virtual assistant for teachers, generating tailored exams, lesson notes, and course materials aligned with the Tanzanian curriculum.
• Flow Informatics’ phosoAI: This WhatsApp chatbot provides real-time information on food prices, availability, and agricultural practices in Malawi, using Llama 3 to deliver information in Chichewa and enabling voice commands for accessibility.
Meta is committed to open-source AI and believes that expanded access will drive global progress. Applications for the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants are now open until November 22, 2023.

These awards demonstrate the potential of AI to empower communities, improve health outcomes, and tackle pressing social challenges