UK pledges 80 million pounds to finance global AI initiatives, especially in Africa

On the first day of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit, held at Bletchley Park near London, the United Kingdom, in collaboration with its international partners, announced an £80 million project designed to finance global AI initiatives, with more emphasis on Africa.

The initiative seeks to enhance AI expertise and computational capabilities in Africa, assisting the continent's AI innovators in fostering growth and supporting long-term development. The goal is to unlock the benefits of AI for the 700 million people who speak 46 African languages.

This initiative, aimed at fostering "safe and responsible" AI programming, is the product of a joint effort involving the UK, Canada, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. To support this collaboration, the UK AI for Development Programme is contributing £38 million.


While the summit is poised to address ways in which global superpowers can mitigate risks associated with AI technology, the primary focus has been on supporting African nations. The fund's objectives include the establishment of at least eight new AI research laboratories at African universities and encouraging African participation in the AI market. This initiative aims to create a more equitable AI market, ensuring that AI is used safely and responsibly. It will help lower entry barriers for African AI innovators by working with the private sector.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the global potential of AI, stating that it can "change lives for the better around the world, including helping to develop new treatments for diseases and to tackle food insecurity."

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman highlighted the potential of AI in addressing critical global challenges. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Information Communications and Digital Economy, Eliud Owallo, emphasized that the support provided to developing AI in Africa will ensure that developing countries are not left behind in the AI revolution.