Gates Foundation Warns AI Could Widen Inequality, Pledges $1 Billion to Expand Access

Bill Gates has warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence could deepen existing inequalities if its benefits remain concentrated among wealthier countries and communities.

The Gates Foundation announced a commitment of at least US$1 billion over the next two years to help expand access to AI and develop tools aimed at underserved populations.

The initiative will focus on areas including healthcare, education and agriculture, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries and communities that have historically had limited access to advanced technology.

The foundation also plans to support AI systems that work more effectively in languages that are poorly represented in existing datasets. This is intended to make AI tools more useful to people who do not primarily communicate in widely supported languages.

Gates said AI has the potential to make a significant difference in areas where resources and skilled professionals are limited. AI-powered tools could, for example, help health workers with diagnosis, support teachers and provide farmers with information about crops and pests.

But he warned that access to those benefits is not guaranteed.

If AI development primarily serves people and countries that already have greater financial and technological resources, the technology could reinforce existing gaps rather than reduce them.

The foundation has already been working with AI companies, including Anthropic, on projects involving global health, education and agriculture. It is also exploring ways to improve the availability of data from regions and communities that are currently underrepresented in AI systems.

The announcement comes as Gates has become increasingly vocal about the challenges posed by the rapid development of AI. In a recent interview, he said governments around the world were not adequately prepared for the changes the technology could bring, including potential disruption to jobs and growing social inequalities.

At the same time, Gates continues to argue that AI could have major benefits if its development and deployment are directed towards people who need the technology most.

The Gates Foundation said its goal is to ensure that AI becomes a tool for reducing disparities rather than another technology that widens the gap between those with access to advanced resources and those without them.