Nothing is more important than how we treat each other.

The Muhammad Ali Index is the world’s foremost study on compassion. The first rigorous, data-driven research to not only measure but predict the state of compassion in America today, the Muhammad Ali Index uses a unique blend of human and artificial intelligence.

The Muhammad Ali Index starts with a 12 city pilot, including Louisville, San Antonio, Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Seattle, Phoenix, and Jacksonville – and also includes national compassion data that will be relevant for all cities.

The goal of the Muhammad Ali Index is to track the cultural trends shaping compassion in cities across America, and develop insights and opportunities for “Impact Partners” to use this data and drive behavioral change to create a more just and compassionate community.

The first phase of this research will culminate with the publication of The Compassion Report, which will synthesize the research findings, and include data-backed recommendations for cities and local partners to amplify compassion in their neighborhoods.

With the data gathered, there is an opportunity for better forecasting and planning. Mayors can use the findings to build better school ecosystems, drive changes in the business sector, and offer tools to civil society leaders and executives to help shape the future of their cities.

The Muhammad Ali Index aims to lead the conversation about compassion in the same way that Edelman heads the research-based discussion around trust.

However, unlike the Edelman study, which relies exclusively on self-reported survey data, the Muhammad Ali Index has two additional layers – digital behavioral data from across key social media and other platforms, and cultural intelligence through a proprietary AI platform. This enables us to not only assess the current state of compassion through a unique cultural lens, but also apply a predictive, forward-looking view.

The Muhammad Ali Index invites a powerful network of public and private ‘Impact Partners’ – starting with city mayors through our partnership with Strong Cities Network – to agree to adopt the Index and report to help inform their policies, procedures and programs.

The index starts with a 12 city national pilot, where over the course of six months, tracked and highlighted the trends in compassion on both a national and local level. This has been brought together into a Compassion Report with detailed data analysis and recommendations to improve compassion.