In response to an overwhelming reaction to its recent Grand Challenges call for proposals, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has revealed the names of almost 50 grant recipients. These individuals and teams are actively developing solutions in global health and development utilizing AI-powered large language models (LLMs). This initiative, aimed at reducing worldwide disparities, specifically targeted researchers and innovators from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

AI-driven LLM technology, if responsibly and safely employed, holds the potential to tackle some of the world's most intricate health and development issues. To ensure their effectiveness in LMICs, local researchers need to play a pivotal role in the design, application, and testing of these rapidly evolving technologies. Establishing a robust evidence base will bridge gaps in access and enhance our understanding of how these tools can equitably address challenges across LMICs.

Juliana Rotich, co-founder of iHub and a member of the foundation's AI Ethics and Safety Advisory committee, emphasized the need for ethical and responsible development of AI, considering the needs of the end user. She stated, “Solutions can be transformative when they are locally inspired.”

This announcement is part of the Grand Challenges program, which fosters innovation to solve critical global health and development problems. With over 1,300 proposals received, of which more than 80% came from LMICs within two weeks of the proposal call, nearly 50 selected projects spanning 17 LMICs have been aligned with the foundation's mission. Each project will receive up to US$100,000 for research advancement, totaling US$5 million in grants. The findings will be shared at the Grand Challenges Annual Meeting in Dakar, Senegal, in October.

Zameer Brey, interim deputy director for Technology Diffusion at the Gates Foundation, praised local innovators for harnessing AI and LLMs in ways that can create a paradigm shift for their communities. These projects will address various challenges, such as aiding frontline health workers in India, delivering personalized agricultural advice to Ugandan smallholder farmers, enhancing education in Mali, and providing crucial financial advice to rural women in Nigeria through a voice-to-text interface.

The Gates Foundation remains committed to fostering innovation and collaboration across disciplines and countries to accelerate progress in health and development. As these projects unfold, the foundation aims to collaborate with global partners to ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all, with a focus on LMIC communities, while upholding principles of safety, ethics, and equity.

For more information please visit https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/2023/08/grand-challenges-rfp-recipients-ai-large-language-models