Gates Foundation Commits $1 Billion to Expand AI Access

Sep 17, 2026
The Gates Foundation will spend at least $1 billion over two years on AI tools and access across education, health care, agriculture, and digital infrastructure.

Gates Foundation will spend at least $1 billion over the next two years to expand access to AI tools, the organization said in a press release. The commitment accompanies its 2026 Goalkeepers Report, which focuses on access to AI across different languages and communities.

About 40% of the funding will support education, including AI tutoring and tools for teachers. Another 40% will support health care applications such as diagnostics, clinical decision support, maternal and newborn care, and research into drugs and vaccines.

The foundation will direct 10% toward AI generated agricultural advice based on local soil, weather, and crop conditions. The remaining 10% will support digital infrastructure, including datasets for languages that current AI systems do not adequately cover.

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