Artificial Intelligence for Nature and People

The Conservation International Vision And Approach

Our Vision

Conservation International aims to responsibly harness AI to help accelerate impact for nature and people, working to balance its application and accountability with the scale and speed of conservation outcomes the planet needs. We are clear that conservation will always remain a fundamentally human endeavor. AI is a support tool to help drive impact, not a decisionmaker; that responsibility will always rest with humans.

Our Approach

Conservation International embraces technology and innovation as tools to support our mission — protecting nature for the people who depend on it. We are committed to using technology responsibly, for the benefit of people and planet, committing to an approach that is human-centered, responsible, and adaptive:

  1. Human-Centered: People are the center of our mission. We develop solutions with the communities and partners we serve by prioritizing local expertise, elevating the voices, needs and expertise of Indigenous peoples and local communities, and expanding access to tools and capabilities that support impact. We seek solutions that meaningfully accelerate conservation impact, improve outcomes, and advance the field in ethical ways.
  2. Responsible: We take seriously the responsibility of stewarding data entrusted to us by partners, communities, and donors. Indigenous and local knowledge remains the property of its holders, and we are committed to ensuring our work strengthens, rather than exploits, communities. We also recognize that AI has an environmental footprint, requiring energy, water, and infrastructure to operate. As we adopt emerging technologies, we aim to balance use with the urgency of addressing the biodiversity and climate crises, ensuring innovation is applied thoughtfully and responsibly.
  3. Adaptive: AI technologies and ethical risks may evolve rapidly. We commit to ongoing learning, dialogue, and adaptation, and to helping shape global conversations so that technological development reflects the needs of people and nature, not just markets.