Gates Foundation pledges $1 billion to drive AI equality globally

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed a minimum of $1 billion to broaden access to artificial intelligence (AI) over the next two years. This funding will specifically target underserved communities that have historically been marginalized by new technologies. The announcement coincided with the foundation's release of its 10th annual Goalkeepers Report, highlighting AI's potential to improve healthcare, education, and livelihoods when implemented correctly.

The 2026 report, titled "Make This Matter: AI, Equity, and the Choice We Can’t Delay," emphasizes the urgency of influencing who benefits from AI advancements as the technology evolves rapidly. The report identifies three key areas needing attention: language, context, and access and skills. First, language is a significant barrier as over 90% of the data used to train early large language models originated from English-language sources, leaving many communities underrepresented in the data that shapes AI tools.

The foundation is advocating for AI systems that can cater to various languages, rather than concentrating capabilities around a few dominant languages. Second, context is crucial; AI tools require local data and expertise from the communities where they will be deployed, and decision-making regarding data management and protection should involve countries and communities.

Lastly, access and skills are essential; healthcare professionals, farmers, educators, and developers need opportunities to understand, evaluate, and adapt AI tools to their specific needs. Ensuring affordable access to AI technology will require investments from governments, philanthropy, and technology companies. The Gates Foundation plans to allocate the $1 billion across four priority areas: education (40%), healthcare (40%), agriculture (10%), and supporting the digital infrastructure needed for equitable AI (10%).

Bill Gates, the foundation's chair, argues that AI could exacerbate existing inequities at a much faster pace if left to market forces alone. To address this, the foundation will support partners already working to bridge AI access gaps and ensure that tools align with the knowledge and priorities of the communities they serve. Bill Gates emphasizes that harnessing AI for good requires deliberate action and calls on governments, technology companies, and other stakeholders to contribute funding, expertise, and influence to make AI more beneficial, accessible, and affordable.