NAIROBI, Kenya, 08 August 2024 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Grand Challenges (GC) Network, a family of global partners driving innovation to solve major global health and development challenges, today announced a group of more than fifty grantees leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to address the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Emerging technologies, such as AI, machine learning and quantum computing, are transforming the world at an unprecedented pace. These powerful tools have the potential to solve some of the world’s greatest health and development challenges, from infectious diseases to climate change to poverty and inequality, if developed responsibly, safely and ethically. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Digital Health, technologies are rapidly transforming healthcare delivery worldwide, streamlining patient information management, enabling remote consultations and giving individuals control over their health. However, to achieve greater impact, these innovations must be developed by and for communities where global health challenges are most acute, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to have the greatest impact.
In recognition of the power of rapidly evolving emerging technology, the GC Network has launched a call for AI funding focused on catalyzing the equitable use of AI to improve global health outcomes. The new funding of over $5 million, which will support researchers in LMICs, is provided by partners from Africa, Southeast Asia and the Americas, including Grand Challenges Africa (pan-African led by the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation)), Grand Challenges Brazil (Ministry of Health of Brazil), Grand Challenges Canada (Government of Canada), Grand Challenges (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), Grand Challenges Ethiopia (Ministry of Health of Ethiopia and hosted at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI)), Grand Challenges India (Government of India, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistant Council (BIRAC)), Grand Challenges Senegal (Institut Pasteur de Dakar), Grand Challenges South Africa, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), as well as global funding partners including the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and the Pasteur Network.
Over the next 12 months, more than 50 researchers and innovators will work to harness the power of AI to advance bold new solutions to entrenched and emerging challenges.
“The digital age of healthcare is already here – and AI has a clear role to play”, said Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, home and funder of GC South Africa. “To realize the potential of AI to improve health and well-being around the world, we must equip and support local innovators – who understand how best to transform and uplift their communities – by leveraging new approaches like LLMs. With the support of partners across the GC network and in every region, we are able to make this vision a reality, nurturing and championing the world’s most creative minds, no matter where they live.”
AI-funded innovations span clinical decision support, health systems strengthening, health communications and patient journeys, frontline worker support, public health and policy development, clinical trials, diagnostics, and population health. These innovations address key health challenges, including:
- Improving the accessibility and quality of health services.
- Providing individuals with the means to take control of their health and well-being.
- Promoting research and innovation in global and digital health.
- Addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by communities in LMICs.
Carlos Gadelha, Secretary of the Science, Technology, Innovation and Health Complex of the Ministry of Health of Brazil, said: “It is initiatives like these that highlight the importance of global collaboration and locally-led innovation. The use of AI in health will help us develop vital solutions that can be applied in the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) and beyond, promoting health equity.”
“For AI to reach its full potential as a powerful tool for good, we must harness the skills, creativity and ideas of innovators with the deepest understanding of the challenges their communities face,” said Trevor Mundel, President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Division. “Supported by the Grand Challenges Partner Network, this inspiring group of innovators will be at the forefront of the critical work to ensure that the benefits of AI are relevant, affordable and accessible to all.”
The first of many AI funding calls launched by the GC Partner Network, these innovations and innovators are poised to positively transform healthcare delivery and improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
To learn more about the selected innovators and their projects, click here.
Distributed by African Media Agency for the SFA Foundation.
Note to editors
About the Grands Défis Partner Network:
The Grand Challenges Partner Network delivers innovative solutions to Grand Challenges in health and development with a vision of a world where local, regional, and global innovation ecosystems thrive and foster solutions where they will have the greatest impact. Together, Grand Challenges (GC) partners have invested US$1.6 billion, awarding 3,800 grants to a diverse pool of scientists and researchers in 118 countries.
Additional Quotes
Dr Evelyn Gitau, Scientific Director, Science for Africa Foundation. “On the continent, Grand Challenges Africa supports these AI-led innovations that are poised to positively transform healthcare delivery and improve the lives of millions of people around the world. By empowering our scientists and innovators, we can develop tailored strategies that drive economic growth by creating sustainable solutions from within.”
According to Dr. Amadou Alpha Sall, CEO of the Pasteur Institute of Dakar and President of the International Network of Pasteur Institutes: “At the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, which hosts the Grands Défis Sénégal, and across the Institut Pasteur International Network, we believe that advancing public health and science requires both global collaboration and local empowerment. This initiative illustrates our commitment to bridging both dimensions by fostering innovative AI solutions that are not only groundbreaking, but also equitable and accessible.”
Karlee Silver, Executive Director of Grand Challenges Canada: “We are proud to support Grands Défis Sénégal and its partners through this call for funds, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to investing in innovation that addresses critical health challenges in West and Central Africa and beyond. These grants will help level the playing field, enabling all communities to benefit from cutting-edge solutions and advance the health priorities that affect them most.”
According to Dr. Rebecca F. Grais, Executive Director, Pasteur Network : “The Pasteur Network is proud to join the Grand Challenges Network of partners committed to leveraging AI for transformative health solutions in diverse regions of the world.”
According to Nick Cain, Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation: “To address the profound challenges facing underserved communities, AI must be built on a strong foundation: representative data, clear use cases, and a culture of data-driven decision-making. By joining the Grand Challenges Network, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is enabling researchers in low- and middle-income countries to revolutionize global healthcare with AI.”
Information :
SFA Foundation: Davies Mbela | d.mbela@scienceforafrica.foundation
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-08-08 12:05:14
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