Developing Planetary Intelligence for a Regenerative Future
Center for Regenerative Community Solutions
Possible Planet Lab
Module 1: One-Page Overview
Developing Planetary Intelligence for a Regenerative Future
A public-benefit initiative to align artificial intelligence with the health of the Earth and the well-being of generations to come
Humanity faces accelerating ecological destabilization and rising global complexity at the same time that artificial intelligence is advancing at unprecedented speed. Current governance and decision-making systems are not capable of perceiving or responding to these interdependent risks.
This initiative—also referred to as the Planetary Intelligence Program—aims to address that gap by developing planetary intelligence: an integrated capability that combines responsible artificial intelligence, Earth system science, Indigenous-informed relational governance, and regenerative design.
Our Vision
To extend human intelligence by using AI responsibly to listen to the Earth, illuminate long-term consequences, support regenerative action, and enhance our collective capacity to care for a living planet.
Key Innovations
- Indigenous-informed relational governance
- AI architectures designed for ecological responsibility
- Multi-agent self-governance based on commons principles
- Community-centered pilot applications
- A public, open-source Planetary Intelligence Commons Platform
Funding Request
$1.5M–$6M for an 18–36 month initiative.
Expected Outcomes
- Practical tools for regeneration and resilience
- Reduced ecological impact of AI development
- New governance structures rooted in reciprocity and responsibility
- Open-access tools, research, and frameworks
- Increased collective capacity for ecological stewardship
Module 2: Executive Summary
Developing Planetary Intelligence for a Regenerative Future is the first initiative to unite Indigenous-informed relational governance, ecologically responsible AI, Earth system science, and regenerative design into a coherent framework for planetary stewardship.
Rather than treating AI as an autonomous agent, the initiative sees AI as an extender of human intelligence—supporting our ability to interpret what the Earth is telling us, anticipate risk, engage in long-term planning, and support ecological regeneration.
Artificial intelligence today is shaped by extractive economic incentives, substantial environmental impacts, and limited governance. Without intervention, its development risks deepening planetary crisis. With the right guidance, however, AI could become a tool that enhances ecological intelligence, strengthens local resilience, and supports the Earth’s self-healing capacities.
This project builds prototypes, governance frameworks, and public tools grounded in responsible computation, relational ethics, and bioregional collaboration.
Module 3: Expanded Project Description
3.1 Purpose and Rationale
Human societies are not equipped with the integrated intelligence necessary to manage planetary-scale ecological risks. At the same time, AI—if aligned with ethics, ecology, and community governance—could enhance our collective capacity to understand interdependence and respond appropriately.
This initiative recognizes that:
- Earth’s systems are complex and interconnected.
- Indigenous and land-based traditions embody relational principles essential for true ecological intelligence.
- AI currently carries environmental and social risks that must be addressed head-on.
- Communities require tools that make ecological data meaningful, accessible, and actionable.
3.2 Three Foundation Pillars
1. Relational Governance & Indigenous Protocols
Drawing on published scholarship and established ethical frameworks, the initiative will develop:
- relational partnership processes
- knowledge sovereignty protections
- culturally grounded governance
- an Indigenous Advisory Circle with veto authority
AI will not ingest or imitate Indigenous knowledge. Instead, it will be guided by relational principles—interdependence, reciprocity, responsibility, humility—that inform how intelligence interacts with the living world.
2. Ecologically Aligned AI Development
To prevent AI from deepening planetary harm, this program commits to:
- minimizing energy, water, and carbon impacts
- using renewable compute resources
- deploying efficient model architectures
- exploring innovations such as neuromorphic hardware
- conducting environmental impact audits
3. Applied Tools for Regeneration and Resilience
Prototype applications will include:
- watershed dashboards
- biodiversity and ecosystem risk monitors
- regenerative finance modeling tools
- climate adaptation scenario systems
- community-based ecological early-warning networks
These tools extend human judgment; they do not replace it.
Module 4: Goals & Objectives
- Build an ethical, relational, ecosystem-grounded foundation for planetary intelligence.
- Develop multi-agent governance structures grounded in commons principles.
- Reduce the environmental footprint of AI systems.
- Build prototypes that support ecological regeneration and community resilience.
- Deploy a public Planetary Intelligence Commons Platform.
- Expand the scientific and cultural understanding of planetary intelligence.
Module 5: Theory of Change
If AI is aligned with ecological ethics, Indigenous-informed governance, and Earth system science;
and if communities gain tools that reveal consequences, support long-term thinking, and enhance resilience;
then humanity can shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, coordinated planetary stewardship.
Planetary intelligence emerges not as artificial dominance but as a collaborative capability—extending our ability to listen, understand, and respond to the Earth.
Module 6: Governance Architecture
1. Indigenous Advisory Circle
- Provides ethical and relational guidance
- Holds veto authority over culturally sensitive uses
- Ensures accountability to Indigenous sovereignty and knowledge protocols
2. Scientific & Earth Systems Council
- Validates ecological accuracy and scientific rigor
3. Ethical Review Board
- Oversees non-extraction principles and integrity
4. Community Oversight Forum
- Integrates lived experience and bioregional context
5. Technical Stewardship Team
- Ensures transparency, minimizes environmental impact, maintains safe guardrails
This layered governance model ensures that planetary intelligence develops as a public good.
Module 7: Impact, Deliverables & Outcomes
Deliverables
- Planetary Intelligence Framework
- Governance model with Indigenous protocols
- Environmental impact audit
- Pilot tools for ecological planning and regeneration
- Public-access digital platform
Outcomes
- Modernized ecological decision-support systems
- Reduced environmental harm from AI
- Strengthened community capacity
- A new field of inquiry and practice: relational planetary intelligence
- Scholarly publications and open-source resources
Module 8: Work Plan & Timeline
Phase 1: Foundations (Months 1–6)
- Establish governance structures
- Build relational partnerships
- Conduct ecological footprint assessment
- Develop conceptual and ethical frameworks
Phase 2: Prototyping (Months 7–18)
- Build early tools (watershed models, biodiversity modeling, regenerative finance systems)
- Test low-impact AI architectures
- Initiate community and bioregional pilots
Phase 3: Deployment (Months 19–36)
- Launch the Planetary Intelligence Commons Platform
- Publish research and tools
- Host public workshops and dialogues
- Expand collaborations
Module 9: Budget Summary
Categories include:
- Personnel & Research Fellows
- Indigenous Advisory Circle & Governance Structures
- Technical Development
- Ecological Impact Minimization
- Bioregional Pilots & Community Partnerships
- Platform Development
- Publications & Convenings
- Administration
Total request: $1.5M–$6M depending on scope.
Module 10: Risk Assessment & Mitigation
1. Indigenous Knowledge Appropriation
Mitigation: Relational protocols, knowledge sovereignty, veto authority.
2. Ecological Harm from AI
Mitigation: Renewable compute, efficiency, environmental audits.
3. Corporate Capture & Misuse
Mitigation: Open-source tools, transparent governance, community oversight.
4. Scientific Misinterpretation of Earth Data
Mitigation: Earth systems experts, data validation, human-in-the-loop.
5. Overreliance on AI
Mitigation: Reinforce human agency; AI as augmentation, not authority.
Module 11: Organizational Capacity
The Center for Regenerative Community Solutions and the Possible Planet Lab bring:
- a decade of climate finance and regenerative systems innovation
- deep relationships with ecological restoration networks
- experience developing bioregional and community resilience frameworks
- thought leadership on AI governance and planetary intelligence
- capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration
Module 12: Closing Statement
Developing Planetary Intelligence for a Regenerative Future offers a new model for how intelligence—human, technological, and ecological—can work together to sustain life on Earth.
Our goal is to extend human intelligence in ways that listen to the Earth, honor relational responsibilities, protect knowledge sovereignty, minimize harm, and support the planet’s innate capacity for regeneration.
We invite partners and funders to help build this essential public infrastructure for a flourishing, living future.