The Gates Foundation and OpenAI have announced a new collaboration aimed at supporting African governments as they integrate artificial intelligence into national health systems.
The pilot initiative, known as Horizon1000, will combine 50 million in funding, technology, and technical support to help countries apply AI tools that strengthen primary healthcare delivery. The programme is designed to support health workers, improve quality of care, and expand patient reach in resource-constrained settings.
Sub-Saharan Africa currently faces an estimated health workforce shortage of 5.6 million, a gap that training alone is unlikely to close. The initiative will explore how AI can augment clinical capacity, streamline workflows, and support frontline health workers to serve more patients effectively.
