AI is transforming almost every aspect of business. But how do we apply it in ways that create real human impact  especially in areas like health, climate, crisis response, and humanitarian aid?

In this special Startup Grind AI Impact Fireside Chat, we are joined by Melanie Rideout and Simon Hodgkinson, who lead AI strategy at the Red Cross in Sweden and the UK, respectively. Together, they bring firsthand insights from building AI capabilities inside one of the world’s most trusted humanitarian organizations.

From strategy and infrastructure to ethical considerations and real-world applications, they will unpack what it takes to turn AI into a meaningful force for good at scale.

In this session, we’ll explore:

• Where AI and humanitarian impact truly intersect
• Which use cases are creating real value and where the biggest opportunities lie
• What it takes to build infrastructure, tools, and systems for AI enablement in a global organization
• How to approach ethical, responsible, and practical AI adoption
• Lessons from upskilling teams and navigating organizational challenges
• What the future of AI in the humanitarian sector could look like

Whether you're a founder, operator, technologist, policymaker, or ecosystem builder, this session offers practical insights into how AI can be applied with purpose creating stronger organizations and greater societal impact.

🎤 The session will be moderated by Naimul Abd – Regional Director Nordics at Startup Grind, CEO at Connect East, SweBAN, founder of Nutty Ventures and BRIM, and Nordics Lead for Founder Institute and Founders Live.