Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for Social Impact : Social Business Models and Impact Finance

Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for Social Impact provides an accessible overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies, and explores their applications for social enterprise and impact investing. The opening chapter introduces the impact space, exploring different social business models, the role of technology, the impact investing market and general problems in the space. The remainder of this book falls into two paths: the first focusing on AI and the other looking at the blockchain technology. Providing introductions to each of these technologies and their histories, the author goes on to examine them from the perspectives of social business models and impact finance. A concluding chapter explores AI and cryptocurrencies in the impact space in the future. Readers are supported with international case studies and other student-friendly features. Situated at the intersection between technology, fintech, social enterprise, impact investing and social impact, this book is a valuable resource for upper-level courses across all these areas. It also offers an introduction to this emerging topic for researchers and business professionals. Online teaching resources to accompany this book include instructor lecture slides and data sets. Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for Social Impact provides an accessible overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies and explores their applications for social enterprise and impact investing.The opening chapter introduces the impact space, exploring different social business models, the role of technology, the impact investing market and general problems in the space. The remainder of this book falls into two paths: the first focusing on AI and the other looking at the blockchain technology. Providing introductions to each of these technologies and their histories, the author goes on to examine them from the perspectives of social business models and impact finance. A concluding chapter explores AI and cryptocurrencies in the impact space in the future. Readers are supported with international case studies and other student-friendly features.Situated at the intersection between technology, fintech, social enterprise, impact investing and social impact, this book is a valuable resource for upper-level courses across all these areas. It also offers an introduction to this emerging topic for researchers and business professionals.Online teaching resources to accompany this book include instructor lecture slides and datasets. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Figures 9 Tables 10 1 Introducing the Impact Space 12 1.1 Introduction 12 1.2 Global Differences in Terms of Impact 13 1.3 Development of Social Problems Over Time 14 1.4 The Role of Technology in the Fight Against Climate Change 16 1.5 Definition of Impact 19 1.6 Social Business Models 21 1.7 Social Innovation and the Role of Technology 23 1.8 Emerging Opportunities Based On AI and Blockchain Technology 24 1.9 The Impact Investing Market 25 1.10 Financing Institutions and Instruments 27 1.11 General Problems in the Impact Space 29 Notes 30 2 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 31 2.1 How to Think About Artificial Intelligence 31 2.2 Introduction to Data Science 34 2.3 Historical Development of AI 36 2.4 Diversity of Approaches 39 2.5 Data Structure 40 2.6 Types of Learning 41 2.7 Definition of AI 43 2.8 Mechanics of Neural Networks 44 2.9 Ethical Considerations and Shortcomings 47 Notes 50 3 AI-First Impact Business Models 51 3.1 Introduction 51 3.2 The AI Factory 52 3.3 Use of Data 57 3.4 Classification of AI Systems 59 3.5 Use of AI in Public Settings 59 3.6 Use of AI in the Labor Market 62 3.7 Use of AI in Healthcare 66 3.8 Use of AI in Education 69 3.9 Use of AI to Improve the Lives of Persons With Disabilities 70 3.10 Use of AI in Agriculture and the Fight Against Climate Change 71 Notes 73 4 AI and Impact Finance 74 4.1 Introduction 74 4.2 Historical Overview With a Focus On Credit Scoring 76 4.3 Finance for Underserved Segments of the Population 77 4.4 Impact Fintechs 81 4.5 Provision of Capital to Investments Promising Higher Impact 83 4.6 Access to Finance for Impact Enterprises 86 Notes 88 5 Basic Principles of the Blockchain Technology 89 5.1 How to Think About the Blockchain Technology 89 5.2 Definition of the Blockchain Technology 92 5.3 History and Evolving Narratives 93 5.4 Technology and Ecosystem 94 5.5 Consensus Mechanisms 96 5.6 Cryptographic Components 97 5.7 Smart Contracts 98 5.8 Tokens 100 Notes 103 6 Blockchain-Enabled Impact Business Models 104 6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Identification of Good Projects 106 6.3 Markets, Institutions, and Organizational Forms 108 6.4 Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) – a New Organizational Paradigm 110 6.5 The Use of the Blockchain Technology in the Supply Chain 111 6.6 The Use of the Blockchain Technology to Document Violence and War Crimes 113 6.7 The Use of the Blockchain Technology for Philanthropy 113 6.8 The Documentation of Land Rights With the Blockchain Technology 114 6.9 New Juridical Approaches Based On the Blockchain Technology 115 Notes 117 7 Blockchain and Impact Finance 118 7.1 Introduction 118 7.2 Investment Models 120 7.3 The Potential of the Blockchain Technology for the Field 125 7.4 Lending Protocols 128 7.5 Exchange Liquidity Pools Or Automatic Market Makers 131 7.6 Use Case in the Delivery of Food Assistance 132 7.7 Asset Storing for Refugees 133 Notes 134 8 Outlook and Future Developments 135 8.1 Introduction 135 8.2 Combination of AI and Blockchain Technologies 136 8.3 Criminal Business Models 137 8.4 Outlook 140 Notes 141 References 142 Index 158 artifical,intelligence;,blockchain;,AI;,impact,space;,impact,investing;,impact,finance;,cryptocurrency;,cryptocurrencies;,fintech "Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for Social Impact provides an accessible overview of AI and blockchain technologies, and explores their applications for social enterprise and impact investing. The opening chapter introduces the impact space, exploring different social business models, the role of technology, the impact investing market and general problems in the space. The remainder of the book falls into two paths: the first focusing on artificial intelligence and the other looking at blockchain. Providing introductions to each of these technologies and their histories, the author goes on to examine them from the perspectives of social business models and impact finance. A concluding chapter explores artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies in the impact space in the future. Readers are supported with international case studies, discussion questions and other student-friendly features. Situated at the intersection between technology, fintech, social enterprise, impact investing and social impact, this book is a valuable resource for upper-level courses across all these areas. It also offers an introduction to this emerging topic for researchers and business professionals"-- Provided by publisher