Background

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform healthcare around the world. But as AI technology continues to advance, there is an urgent need to position low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to lead on the design and co-creation of AI-enabled technologies. With this in mind, Grand Challenges (GC) network partners came together to discuss the need for an equitable and responsible approach to the use of AI and specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) in LMICs. Six GC partners coordinated on a joint funding call as a follow-up to an initial call by the Gates Foundation. This call represents collaborative steps towards identifying, nurturing, and catalyzing the creativity, energy, and skills that researchers, implementers, governments, and technical partners have demonstrated in solving specific challenges in their countries and regions through LLMs.

This represents GC Senegal’s second funding round of innovative projects, driven by AI, which aims to tackle some of the most pressing healthcare challenges across Africa, leveraging advanced technology to improve access, diagnosis, treatment, and health education. From enhancing maternal health to improving disease surveillance, these ten projects showcase the critical role AI can play in shaping a healthier future.

The teams, working on the following important innovations, are funded by GCC, the Gates Foundation, and the Pasteur Network, and are contracted by GCC and GC Senegal.