$60 Million Investment to Evaluate AI Health Tools in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

A new initiative backed by the Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome will invest $60 million to rigorously evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) health tools in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Evidence for AI in Health (EVAH) initiative, announced at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 20, 2026, aims to provide evidence-based insights to guide the responsible adoption and scaling of AI solutions in healthcare.

Addressing the Evidence Gap in AI for Global Health

Despite the rapid advancement of AI technologies, there is a significant lack of robust evidence demonstrating their effectiveness and impact in real-world healthcare settings within LMICs. A recent study published in The Lancet highlighted this gap, revealing that only four of 86 identified randomized clinical trials on AI health tools between 2018 and 2023 were conducted in LMICs. This scarcity of data hinders informed decision-making by governments and health systems.

EVAH: A Collaborative Approach to Rigorous Evaluation

The EVAH initiative seeks to address this critical need by supporting locally led evaluations of AI tools that have progressed beyond the early stages of development. The $60 million investment builds upon a larger $300 million global health research and development partnership launched by the three philanthropic organizations in May 2024. The partnership aims to tackle global health challenges, including the health impacts of climate change, infectious diseases, and the interplay between nutrition, immunity, and disease.

The initiative will focus on evaluating AI-enabled decision support tools designed to assist frontline health workers in primary and community healthcare settings across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. These tools will support clinical tasks such as triage, diagnosis, and referral.

Partnerships for Effective Implementation

EVAH will be implemented in partnership with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). J-PAL and APHRC will coordinate the application and review process, provide technical expertise in study design and evidence synthesis, and collaborate closely with local research teams leading the evaluations.

Focus on Equity, Safety, and Scalability

Evaluations will encompass implementation science studies, randomized controlled trials, economic analyses assessing both the economic value and feasibility of scaling the AI tools, and assessments of public and professional acceptability and trust. Priority will be given to tools trained on representative data, designed for resource-constrained environments, and focused on public benefit. All findings will be disseminated through open access channels, prioritizing data privacy and adhering to principles of safety, ethics, and equity.

Expert Perspectives

“AI has the power to significantly improve health care and accelerate development in Africa, but its success must ultimately be measured by the tangible improvements it brings to people’s lives,” said Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy.

“Digitization and advances in AI have huge potential to improve health across the world. We aim for to ensure that everyone, everywhere can benefit,” said Charlotte Watts, executive director of solutions at Wellcome.

“The introduction of AI technology has enormous potential to enhance health care delivery in regions facing critical workforce and infrastructure challenges,” said Lene Oddershede, chief scientific officer, planetary science & technology at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

“We are already seeing the positive impact AI can have in global health—reducing inequities and enabling frontline workers and health systems to deliver more effective, tailored care,” said Trevor Mundel, president of global health at the Gates Foundation.

Looking Ahead

The EVAH initiative represents a crucial step towards harnessing the potential of AI to improve healthcare access and outcomes in LMICs. By prioritizing rigorous evaluation and local partnerships, this investment aims to ensure that AI solutions are safe, effective, and equitable, ultimately contributing to healthier communities and sustainable development.