IntelliSOFT Receives Grand Challenges Grant to Revolutionize AI-Powered Health Informatics

Empowering Kenyan Youth for Health and Beyond

In an era driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the potential for transformative change is boundless. AI holds immense potential to address some of the world’s most complex challenges when harnessed equitably and responsibly.? We are excited to announce that IntelliSOFT is one of nearly 50 Grand Challenges grant winners announced by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support low- and middle-income countries LMICs? in harnessing AI’s power for good.? This initiative, designed to foster innovation in tackling pressing global health and development challenges, is a significant stride towards harnessing technology for social impact and strives to bridge the gap in accessing vital health information by utilizing AI technology.

Health, Data Science, Research and Innovation Lead at IntelliSOFT Nelly Nyaga , will join a team of global health researchers in harnessing the power of AI? to use? Large Language Models (LLM) to educate and empower Kenyan youth in health, particularly in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer and diabetes. By addressing this challenge, the project not only empowers youth but also contributes to building an evidence-based foundation for future AI applications that prioritize equitable access. Kenya, a dynamic country poised for innovation, offers a fertile ground for launching such initiatives given its position as a leader in tech innovations. By addressing this challenge, the project will not only empower the youth but also contribute to building an evidence-based foundation for future AI applications that prioritize equitable access. Kenya, a dynamic country poised for innovation, offers a fertile ground for launching such initiatives given its position as a leader in tech innovations.

Supporting AI research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) ensures AI technology that resonates with local contexts, including health, education, agriculture, and beyond, and that uplifts the most vulnerable populations. Each of these grants represents an opportunity to solve or mitigate a real challenge experienced by communities, researchers and/or governments in low- and middle-income countries.?

To receive funding, Grand Challenges winners submitted their concepts which outlined their bold idea in response to the Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use request for proposals. This project was selected from more than 1,300 proposals submitted from around the world. Through this grant, IntelliSOFT? intends to drive equitable access to AI solutions that cater to the specific needs of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), thereby empowering communities and enhancing healthcare decision-making processes.

About Grand Challenges?

Grand Challenges stem from the idea from over a century ago that crowdsourcing a defined set of unsolved problems can spark innovation and accelerate progress. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its Grand Challenges funding partners use Challenges – launched in 2003 as open requests for grant proposals – to focus attention and effort on solving pressing global health and development problems for those most in need. Together they have awarded over 3600 grants engaging a diverse pool of problem solvers in over 100 countries and fostering a global innovation ecosystem where it will have the most impact. The foundation and its Grand Challenges partners will continue to launch RFPs to support innovators from around the world in tackling the hardest, most urgent, Grand Challenges.

To learn more, visit grandchallenges.org.?