Gates Foundation praises UAE's AI approach and agricultural tech ambition

The Gates Foundation has commended the United Arab Emirates' approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and agricultural technology, stating it is crucial for making AI a global equaliser. Mark Suzman, CEO of the foundation, cited a 2023 partnership with the UAE during the Cop28 climate conference, where both entities pledged $100 million to promote agricultural innovation and reduce world hunger.

Suzman praised the UAE's Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence for its research in using AI to prevent diseases, improve weather forecasting, and other societal benefits. The Gates Foundation plans to invest at least $1 billion over the next two years to expand access to AI solutions and knowledge that have historically been out of reach for many.

The foundation's recent report emphasizes the importance of addressing AI language diversity, technology access, infrastructure development, and its application to agriculture and environmental causes, to prevent widening the technology gap in lower-income economies. Gates highlighted the need for AI to work in every language people speak and for proper evaluation of AI technologies by professionals across various sectors.

The report also stresses the urgency of making AI accessible and beneficial to all, regardless of socioeconomic background, to avoid exacerbating poverty and inequality.