Neurodegenerative diseases (ND), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and others, affect over 50 million people worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2040, NDs will be second only to heart disease as a cause of death in developed countries, overtaking cancer-related deaths. There is no cure for NDs, which cause debilitating cognitive and physical decline. However, new tools that combine the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and the principles of precision medicine could transform this landscape within the next few years.

Philanthropic investment and partnerships have the potential to promote transformative impact in precision medicine. This Giving Smarter Guide, developed by the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration, identifies six high-priority opportunities spanning four broad areas where philanthropy can leverage AI to drive progress in NDs.