By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Gates Foundation has
commended Ethiopia’s efforts to develop and deploy artificial intelligence (AI)
solutions to modernise the health sector, recognising the country’s growing
capabilities in research, development and technology.
Chris Elias, President of
Global Development at the Gates Foundation, made the remarks during a visit to
the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, where he was briefed on the
country’s progress in applying AI to healthcare.
The visit highlighted
Ethiopia’s efforts to develop AI technologies using domestic capabilities and
strengthen its technological self-reliance.
During discussions following
the visit, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence
Institute, Dr Taye Girma, presented the Gates Foundation delegation with an
overview of AI solutions being implemented to improve health sector services.
Girma reaffirmed the
Institute’s commitment to working with international institutions and said
cooperation with the Gates Foundation would be important in making Ethiopia’s
technology transition in healthcare more effective.
Elias praised Ethiopia’s
efforts to implement artificial intelligence using its own capabilities and
acknowledged the important role AI can play in improving healthcare delivery.
He also assured the
Institute that research and development cooperation between the Gates
Foundation and Ethiopia would continue to be strengthened.
The Institute said the
deployment of AI is contributing to improvements in everyday health services
while also supporting Ethiopia’s ambitions to strengthen technological
sovereignty and increase its visibility in the international technology and
innovation landscape.
