We are excited to share that Google.org selected Nava Labs to join their newest Google.org Accelerator: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) cohort. With this $1.5 million grant, Nava Labs will work with California-based community partners to develop and test a suite of generative AI-powered agents, or software systems that use AI to help complete tasks. Our agents will autonomously navigate multiple databases and benefit portals and complete applications with caseworker oversight.
Nava Labs is the philanthropically funded arm of Nava Public Benefit Corporation that focuses on prototyping policy and systems changes in government programs and advocating for their adoption. Most recently, the team has been researching, prototyping, and testing various AI-powered tools to support caseworkers who help families identify and enroll in benefit programs.
Many families don’t get access to critical public benefits due to cumbersome application processes. Every year, people in the U.S. leave more than $140 billion in government benefits unclaimed across major programs. Our suite of generative AI-powered agents aims to help eligible people enroll in benefits by completing and submitting applications, with caseworker supervision. This enables caseworkers to spend more time with clients rather than focusing on data entry to help fill out applications.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking cohort working to use Gen AI to address important societal issues,” said Genevieve Gaudet, Director of Nava Labs. “This project is our latest effort exploring how we might ethically use AI to help reduce administrative burden for families and the caseworkers who help them navigate public benefits.”
To build, test, and pilot these agents, we’re partnering with Imagine LA, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles, and First 5 Riverside County Children & Families Commission, a county department supporting the early development of young children. Together, our goal is to significantly boost caseworker efficiency across California nonprofit and government agencies within three years. Ultimately, we aim to free up valuable caseworker time, reduce administrative burdens, and streamline processes.
This project builds on our proven partnership with Imagine LA and their Benefit Navigator, an online tool that helps people with low incomes assess their eligibility for public benefits and tax credits. Nava Labs recently researched, prototyped, and piloted an AI-powered chatbot in real scenarios with caseworkers who use Imagine LA’s tool.
