Bill Gates recently shared an ambitious vision for the Gates Foundation’s next two decades, outlining a commitment of USD 200 billion to save lives, eradicate diseases and lift hundreds of millions out of poverty. While the Foundation’s historical impact has largely been in health, this future-focused strategy significantly expands its scope to include education, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) as crucial drivers of long-term development. For us at the Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University, this is not just an inspiring announcement from a key funder. It’s also an affirmation of the work we are already undertaking.
AI for improved decision-making
Policymaking plays a pivotal role in shaping how opportunities and services reach people. But in many developing countries, policymaking systems face capacity constraints, outdated processes and low data use. The Policy Innovation Lab addresses these challenges directly by developing AI tools that help governments make faster, more evidence-based and more transparent decisions.
With support from the Gates Foundation, the Lab has built a beta AI policymaking platform that includes tools for policy comparison, summarisation, media briefings and citizen-generated data. These tools are designed to be practical and accessible to policymakers at all levels.
Using AI to help break the cycle of poverty
Gates’ third strategic priority is helping hundreds of millions move toward prosperity. The Lab’s work supports this by improving the quality of policy decisions that directly affect public services, economic growth and governance.
By making policymaking more responsive and better informed, the Lab helps governments create the conditions needed for inclusive economic growth.
AI tools developed by the Lab do not replace human judgment but strengthen it, helping policymakers deal with complex information, improve communication and respond more quickly to citizen needs.
The Lab also supports the Foundation’s focus on digital public infrastructure. It works closely with the South African government on digital transformation efforts, including the national Digital Transformation Roadmap. It has developed training for policymakers, which includes the “AI in Government” webinar series.
Developing scalable use cases
The Lab’s work is not limited to South Africa. It is actively contributing to international efforts to understand how digital tools can strengthen policy advice systems in diverse contexts. Through comparative studies in Brazil, India and Kenya, the Lab is identifying how AI and digital tools can improve decision-making in government.
Ultimately, this research will inform scalable approaches that other countries can adopt or adapt. It provides a growing evidence base on what is needed technically, institutionally and politically to make AI work for policymaking in the Global South.
As countries look to improve the effectiveness of their governments, the Lab’s work offers concrete models for how AI can be responsibly and practically deployed within public systems to put more people on a path to opportunity and prosperity.