Points of Light by Digital Evolution Institute puts the Spotlight on Extraordinary Companies that Leverage AI to Change Our World for the Better

Digital Evolution Institute is a global think tank at the intersection of technology, investment, entrepreneurship and creative endeavors

MIAMI, FL —Digital Evolution Institute welcomed forward-thinking nonprofits, impact investors, technologists, family offices and creatives to the AI Center of Miami Dade college on December 4, 2023 as a prelude to Art Week Miami.  This was a first of its kind gathering of the minds to focus on how AI can help charities and improve lives through their programs. The event was attended by major investment firms, family offices, technologists, entrepreneurs, athletes and creatives.

“Digital evolution has come to philanthropy,” says Julia Valentine, co-founder of the Digital Evolution Institute, “and it is improving both transparency and economics of the nonprofit sector. Today’s event is about all the ways in which this important engine of humanity is being transformed. Points of Light was a unique event in its ability to mix the focus on technology, the future of helping and inspiring others, impact investing and the creative forces behind changing our world for the better.” “We are grateful to Poonacha Machaiah of the Chopra Foundation, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Ray Leonard Jr., Jacob Kapustin, Alex Elman Foley, Aaron Ellis, Mike Mumola, Paul Stamoulis, Marco Soriano and all distinguished speakers for educating, inspiring and uplifting us,” added Digital Evolution Institute Board Member Brinkley Skye. Poonacha Machaiah, Chief Executive Officer of the Chopra Foundation, said, “I look forward to collaborating with Digital Evolution Institute to support their initiative on how philanthropies and nonprofits can leverage AI for a more peaceful, just, sustainable, healthier and joyful world.”

“We are happy to bring the Institute to Miami,” said Tracy McWilliams, co-founder of the Digital Evolution Institute, “since Miami is thriving and so many of our members spend at least a part of the year here.” Miami also plays an important role for the Digital Evolution Institute because of its strong partnership with the phenomenal Venture Miami. “The Digital Evolution Institute Points of Light at the Miami Dade College AI Center was profoundly impactful, offering insights into best practices for leveraging AI in philanthropy to optimize fundraising efforts. These lessons will be instrumental in enhancing the Venture Miami Scholarship Fund, dedicated to supporting STEM students from the City of Miami with their college tuition. The occasion facilitated valuable connections with influential figures in venture capital, philanthropy, and founders, all of whom are making extraordinary impact in their respective fields. I look forward to collaborating with Digital Evolution Institute to elevate the investment, economic development, and entrepreneurship happening in Miami’s tech ecosystem,” said Nicola Demko, Head of Business Development & Recruitment at Venture Miami.

Alex Elman Foley, CEO of the Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center, was amazed and inspired by the people and the event. “I was blown away by the Digital Evolution Institute Points of Light event, and how the use of technology is assisting non-profits to surpass their goals of helping people. The Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center leverages technology to level the playing field for people who are facing vision loss. We serve five counties on the West Coast of Florida, and with an aging population, and a growing population with health issues, the need for our services is growing. Inspiring others is as important to us as is technology, and that’s why support the Digital Evolution Institute!”

On the panel, The Future of Helping and Inspiring Others, with Alex was moderator, the CEO of Ovationz.com Ray Leonard Jr., and Aaron Ellis, VP of Talent, Vision and Strategy at Nobody Studios, Jacob Kapustin, CEO of Knowledge Road, and Mike Mumola, serial entrepreneur, Chief Strategy Officer of Webdelics and General Council of Cosmic Wire. Aaron Ellis said, “The Digital Evolution Institute's Points of Light event was the standout experience during my time in Miami! Throughout the rest of the week, while attending various other events, people frequently came up to me, expressing gratitude for my contribution at the Points of Light event and inquiring about the next one.  Julia and Tracy have genuinely established a remarkable organization, and it was both an honor and a privilege to participate and speak at this gathering. I am excited about contributing to their vision and mission in the future.”

“PRAI is proud to be an active partner with the Digital Evolution Institute. The Points of Light panel discussions focused on life changing charities and give us the unique opportunity to be able to apply our AI to help these organizations that can’t normally afford Public Relations and get them published for the amazing work they do,” said Nick Betancourt, CEO of PRAI. PRAI.co is a newly launched AI platform that is democratizing public relations for the benefit of those who wouldn’t normally be able to afford it, using AI to help subscribers write their pitches, press releases, and social media to a database of 100,000 top tier journalists and 120,000 social media influencers. PRAI has created certification courses and partnered with Miami Dade College, FIU, MIT, and Stanford University to offer certifications in AI to their students and prepare them for internships and introductions to the workforce.

Michael Mannino, MA, PhD, Director of Miami Dade College Artificial Intelligence Center graciously hosted the event and noted the world class expertise and high engagement of the participants.  

Marco Antonio Soriano Von Hemmersdorff IV, CEO of the Soriano Group and Family Office discussed Navigating the Future, Insights into AI for Family Office Philanthropy, moderated by Paul Stamoulis, President of Worth Media Group, a valued media partner of the Digital Evolution Institute. “Soriano today shows how important it is to get electric mobility (e-mobility) right and done perfectly. This pertains to the use of AI technologies and their integration to its BMS. HENCE, our mission is to inspire the adoption of sustainable energy by creating advanced technologies and the most captivating luxury electric vehicles (“EV”), centered around the human experience," he said.

"Wishes was thrilled to be in the room with so many innovators at the Digital Evolution Institute’s Points of Light event,” shared Annie Rhodes, CEO of Wishes. "The social good sector has the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of AI by embracing AI to strengthen outcomes for everyone. At Wishes, we have developed a trust engine built on fintech rails that uses AI to strengthen the giving ecosystem, by giving donors insight into where their funds go and taking the burden of reporting off nonprofits.”

Impact investing is another space where innovation and social impact intersect. Return on Good, the Digital Evolution Institute partner, connects impact projects with visionary investors, fostering a future where technology and transformation go hand in hand. Return on Good helps their clients’ raise capital to take on urgent issues from water distress, hunger, mental health, and hospital-aided infections. They connect investors with opportunities focused on purpose, people, and profit. “This event brought together the most innovative and influential minds in the industry both for-profit and non-profit to iterate on the future of AI. It was  a beautiful event.” said Ann Oleson, Partner at Return on Good.

“I spoke about the exciting work we’re doing in AI and process automation to help power the next generation of impact investments. The Digital Evolution Institute event in Miami was the perfect opportunity for us to share these important developments,” said John Sharp, Managing Partner, Hatcher+. The award-winning Hatcher+ FAAST platform leverages AI and machine learning, process automation, and a global network of leading project originators to enable AI-powered investor mandate matching, data-driven deal analysis, and automated due diligence in support of impact investing, philanthropy, and decarbonization efforts, worldwide.

Jonathan Wood, Founder of C2Risk, spoke about how his company provides risk analytics to optimize ESG evaluation. Bobby Soper, President & CEO of Sun Gaming & Hospitality, spoke about the challenges faced by indigenous tribes.