Bill Gates is calling on technology companies and global leaders to prioritize the equitable distribution of artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could exacerbate existing social disparities. To support this goal, the Gates Foundation has pledged $1 billion over the next two years to fund AI-focused initiatives aimed at improving access and outcomes worldwide.
The donation, announced in the Gates Foundation’s annual Goalkeepers report, will support efforts such as training AI models in local languages, enhancing health outcomes, developing educational tools, and providing information to small farmers. This initiative comes at a time when executives at leading AI companies are also urging a slowdown in development due to safety concerns, a debate recently reignited by the resignation of an ex-Anthropic researcher.
Gates himself has expressed that AI has the potential to be either "the greatest equalizer" or "the worst source of injustice." He acknowledged the technology's capacity for misuse, including fraud, disinformation, surveillance, cyberattacks, and bioterrorism. The foundation's report highlights the urgency of these issues, projecting an increase in child deaths for the first time this century and noting the widening gap between wealthy and poor nations.
To ensure AI benefits underserved communities, the foundation is focusing on developing AI capabilities in languages beyond English and Mandarin. Approximately $100 million of the pledged funds will be dedicated to creating datasets in languages spoken by marginalized communities. The foundation is collaborating with major AI firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.org, as well as Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, on specific projects. These include training health workers in Rwanda, accelerating vaccine development, improving agricultural advice for farmers, and developing tools to help teachers identify student learning gaps.
Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, emphasized that while these investments are a fraction of the billions spent by tech giants on commercial products, they represent a crucial step in democratizing AI's benefits. He also indicated ongoing discussions with AI companies about how their technical resources can contribute to global development goals.
The Goalkeepers report's release precedes upcoming high-level meetings at the United Nations General Assembly. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has advocated for inclusive conversations on AI governance, asserting that the technology should not be controlled by a select few countries or corporations. However, the pace of U.N. processes and ongoing questions about the organization's relevance present challenges to rapid global AI policy development.