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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and OpenAI have launched a new $50 million artificial intelligence program aimed at strengthening basic health services in Africa, with initial deployment set to begin in Rwanda.
The effort, called Horizon1000, responds to critical shortages of healthcare workers and aims to expand access to quality care in underserved communities across the continent.
Horizon1000 will channel funding, technology and technical support into primary healthcare systems to help clinics work more efficiently and improve patient care.
The initiative partners with local governments and health authorities to bring AI-enabled tools into everyday health delivery, supporting frontline workers in areas such as patient triage, clinical decision support and simplified record-keeping.
The program’s first phase will begin in Rwanda, a country selected for its proactive investments in digital infrastructure and innovation in health services.
Rwanda’s health system currently operates with roughly one healthcare worker per 1,000 people, far below international recommendations, making it an important testing ground for technology that can help extend care.
Authorities have already begun piloting AI tools in clinics and established an AI-powered Health Intelligence Center in Kigali to guide resource allocation and support data-driven decision-making.
Organizers have set a goal of reaching 1,000 primary care clinics and their surrounding communities by 2028, with plans to expand beyond Rwanda into other African countries over time.
By integrating AI into routine services, the partners say they hope to reduce the administrative burden on health workers, help them follow best-practice guidelines and improve communication with patients, including in local languages where possible.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described the program as part of a broader responsibility to ensure that AI delivers real benefits for society by improving people’s lives.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates highlighted the potential for AI to extend clinical capacity in regions where health systems are under severe strain due to workforce gaps and reductions in traditional international aid.
If successful, Horizon1000 could offer a model for how advanced technology can be integrated into health systems in low-resource settings, complementing existing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare across Africa.
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