Eight technology companies have joined the Partnership for Global Inclusivity on AI that the U.S. Department of State launched on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The companies, namely Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI, have committed to investing in initiatives and technologies that would advance artificial intelligence, which is seen as a tool essential to achieving the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.
A fact sheet from the State Department indicated that Microsoft will invest the biggest amount, allowing over $12 billion for AI data center infrastructure, connectivity and skilling in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. Google launched the $120 million Global AI Opportunity Fund to make AI education and training available in communities worldwide. Other participating companies committed millions to offer AI-specific skills training and AI-powered platforms and technologies for various government, commercial, research and development, and civilian applications.
According to Antony Blinken, state secretary and past Wash100 awardee, the department intends to provide $10 million in foreign assistance to help achieve the partnership’s objectives.
He also announced other initiatives, including working with Congress to secure $23 million in funding to promote the responsible use and governance of AI globally by supporting AI-related programs to help countries meet the SDGs.