Addis Ababa — Invoice Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation and Founder of Step forward Energy, has expressed optimism about Africa’s doable to lead in synthetic intelligence (AI), calling it a extremely efficient tool to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges–from maternal effectively being to agriculture.
Speaking virtually at the International AI Summit on Africa, held in Kigali from April 3-4, 2025, Gates emphasised that AI is bigger than a technological advancement–it is miles a lifestyles-saving opportunity.
“Pregnancies are high risk,” he said. “And by identifying those, you could save millions of other lives across Africa. Because in rural areas, where we’ve talked about nearby, you’ll know who needs to go and be at a center to get better care.”
Gates highlighted the growing position of AI in psychological effectively being, agriculture, training, and governance, according to TOP AFRICAN NEWS.
He noted that AI tools are already making a distinction in helping farmers realize weather patterns–seriously critical as native weather alternate continues to disrupt former seasons–and are starting to reinforce students in the lecture room.
AI is helping students in the lecture room, Gates said.
According to him: “And it’s fantastic to keep the kind of paperwork and complex policies that governments have and connect the citizens so they understand how to work efficiently with the government.”
The Gates Foundation, he added, is prioritizing AI innovations with the doable to “save their food lives”–a phrase emphasizing the critical intersection of nutrition, agriculture, and technology.
He hinted at upcoming initiatives and partnerships teach to be unveiled over the summer time that will deepen the Foundation’s dedication to AI for pattern.
“Today, the world faces big challenges,” Gates acknowledged. “And it’s a critical moment because some countries are, at least for now, reducing their commitments to global health and development.”
Nevertheless, he remained hopeful, stressing that innovation–seriously AI–is accelerating growth across sectors. “The good news is that innovation is giving us an opportunity, whether it’s in health or agriculture… And that’s also being accelerated through artificial intelligence.”
In a message of empowerment, Gates instructed Africa not appropriate to adopt AI solutions but to turn out to be a pioneer in the condo.
“Africa’s not just poised to benefit from AI,” he said, adding that “It has a chance in many areas to absolutely lead the way.”
