Liz Cookman, global health correspondent, notes that unless developers prioritize inclusivity
The Gates Foundation warns that artificial intelligence risks excluding billions of people in low-income countries unless systems are designed with their needs in mind. A new report released on September 15, 2026, highlights how current AI development overlooks linguistic, cultural, and economic realities in the world’s poorest regions. Without deliberate intervention, the technology could deepen global inequality rather than reduce it. The report explains that most AI models are trained on data from high-income countries, making them less effective for users in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Language barriers, limited internet access, and lack of local content reduce the usefulness of AI tools in these areas.
Liz Cookman, global health correspondent, notes that unless developers prioritize inclusivity, AI will reinforce existing disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. Why Current AI Fails the World’s Poorest AI systems often struggle with local dialects, idioms, and contextual cues that vary across regions. For example, voice assistants may not recognize accents common in rural India or Nigeria, limiting their utility. Additionally, many AI applications assume access to smartphones and stable connectivity, which remain out of reach for millions. The Gates Foundation argues that without investing in diverse data collection and community-driven design, AI will continue to serve only a privileged minority. How Can AI Be Made to Work for Everyone? Developers must collaborate with local communities to understand real-world challenges and co-create solutions. This includes training models on underrepresented languages and designing offline-capable tools for areas with poor infrastructure.
The report calls for funding mechanisms that incentivize equitable AI innovation, such as grants for startups focused on global health and agriculture. It also urges governments and tech companies to adopt ethical guidelines that prioritize accessibility over profit. Frequently Asked Questions What does the Gates Foundation mean by AI not understanding people? It means AI systems often fail to recognize local languages, cultural contexts, or limited technological access, making them ineffective or irrelevant for users in poor regions. Can AI still benefit low-income countries if redesigned? Yes, if built with inclusive data, local input, and appropriate technology, AI can improve healthcare diagnostics, educational access, and farming practices in underserved areas. Who is responsible for ensuring AI serves everyone? Both tech developers and policymakers share responsibility—companies must invest in ethical design, while governments should fund inclusive innovation and regulate for fairness.