Gates Foundation and OpenAI launch $50 million AI health partnership in Africa

The Gates Foundation and OpenAI are creating a $50 million partnership called Horizon1000 to help African countries apply AI to health systems, starting in Rwanda and targeting 1,000 primary clinics by 2028.

The Gates Foundation and OpenAI are setting up a $50 million partnership to help African countries use artificial intelligence to improve their health systems. The initiative is named Horizon1000 and will begin work with Rwanda. The foundation already supports several AI efforts, and Rwanda established an AI health hub in Kigali last year. The launch comes as many lower-income countries face cuts to international aid budgets, a factor Bill Gates has linked to recent rises in preventable child deaths. Key details: - The partnership is worth $50 million and is called Horizon1000. - It plans to work with African leaders to determine how best to use AI in health, starting in Rwanda. - Horizon1000 aims to reach 1,000 primary health clinics and surrounding communities across several countries by 2028. - Bill Gates described AI as a potential "gamechanger" in places with severe shortages of trained health workers and noted sub-Saharan Africa may be short about six million healthcare professionals. - Rwanda set up an AI health hub in Kigali last year and the Gates Foundation has other AI initiatives. Summary: The partnership intends to introduce AI tools where health worker shortages and strained aid budgets pose challenges to care access. The first phase will focus on Rwanda and on working with national leaders to shape applications, with a broader goal of reaching 1,000 clinics by 2028. The practical effects on health systems and timelines will depend on how the initiative is implemented and coordinated with local partners.