ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how the Spandows, a Norwegian family with a rich history in business, reinvented their approach to philanthropy. Initially focused solely on philanthropic donations, they realized that to have an impact on the causes that they care about, they needed to take a more hands-on approach by involving their employees as a part of the triple bottom line. In 2016, Spandows’ Amesto partnered with NextBridge to leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and business intelligence (BI) and to provide data-based insight. Their newly established business, Amesto NextBridge, also integrated a focus on people and the planet beyond just profit. As a result, Amesto NextBridge has successfully completed multiple philanthropic projects using its in-house AI and BI expertise. These projects have addressed issues such as improving operations at the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), using data analytics to decipher bee dance, mapping the Brazilian food system, and developing synthetic cancer data, among many others. This case study first introduces the Spandow family and their company, Amesto Group, and then highlights how Amesto NextBridge is applying its AI and BI skills to philanthropic endeavors. We go into more detail about these four projects and the challenges these projects aimed to address, the solutions the Amesto NextBridge team helped develop, and their outcomes. Amesto NextBridge demonstrates a forward-thinking approach by effectively combining its expertise in AI and BI to drive social and environmental impact. Furthermore, Spandow’s commitment to meaningful change is evident in their innovative philanthropic projects, leaving a positive mark on the world. The chapter concludes with sharing lessons learned and recommendations based on their experience.
