The India AI Mission is poised to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for transformative advancements in agriculture, healthcare, education, and climate resilience.
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the forthcoming agreement on social media, stating, “AI solutions for better crops, stronger healthcare, smarter education & climate resilience—MoU soon between India AI Mission & @gatesfoundation.”
The India AI Mission is dedicated to deploying AI-driven applications in critical sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, weather forecasting, and disaster management.
A total of eighteen applications have been identified to leverage AI for societal benefit, addressing key challenges such as climate change, agritech innovations, and learning disabilities.
Bill Gates hails India’s AI leadership
Speaking at the ‘Future Forward’ event in New Delhi, former Microsoft CEO and Gates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates lauded India's advancements in AI, stating that the country’s leadership in the sector is poised to drive global innovation.
“Similar to how DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure) has garnered global attention, India's leadership in AI will drive innovation worldwide,” Gates remarked.
Gates revealed that he recently discussed India’s participation in the upcoming AI Summit with Minister Vaishnaw, underlining the significance of ensuring the involvement of countries from the Global South.
Also read: India a global leader in breakthrough innovations: Gates
“I recently spoke with the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology about the upcoming AI summit, which I believe will be a fantastic opportunity. The foundation will ensure that governments, especially from the Global South, participate and benefit from India's advancements,” Gates said.
Highlighting AI’s potential impact, Gates emphasised its role in accelerating developments in mRNA vaccines, agricultural technology, and the fight against malnutrition.
“By gathering and analysing data, we can make targeted interventions and eliminate the barriers that hold people back,” he stated.
Gates also commended Indian pharmaceutical companies, including the Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech, and IRI, for their pivotal role in producing affordable, high-quality vaccines.
“Without Indian innovation, vaccines wouldn't be as affordable or accessible,” he observed.
With sustained partnerships and investments in digital infrastructure, healthcare, and education, Gates noted that India is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of transformative progress on a global scale.
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