Gates Calls for Action to Prevent AI from Widening Global Inequality

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates urged world leaders and technology companies to ensure artificial intelligence does not worsen global inequality, while the Gates Foundation pledged $1 billion over two years to expand access to AI technologies.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is calling for broader access to artificial intelligence as the technology rapidly expands worldwide. [Photo: Masaru Kamikura, Wikimedia Commons]

Gates warned that AI could become either a “great equalizer” or widen the gap between rich and poor.

The foundation said the funding will support efforts involving local-language AI models, education, health care and agriculture, particularly in lower-income communities.

In other AI news, OpenAI is reportedly considering a new funding round that could value the company at as much as $1.5 trillion. The discussions come days after CEO Sam Altman said the company would not go public in 2026.

The reported financing remains under discussion and has not been completed.

Forbes and The New York Times reported that investors had approached OpenAI at a valuation of about $1.2 trillion, while OpenAI is seeking a valuation of up to $1.5 trillion.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, proposed opening the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member,” telling Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that the EU wants to deepen cooperation with Canada beyond their existing free-trade relationship.

Von der Leyen made the proposal during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg on Sept. 16.

Carney has previously called for a “unique alliance” with the EU, although Canada is not seeking full EU membership. The proposed associate-member arrangement would require further discussions and agreement among EU member states.