The GSMA and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have launched a fund to equip enterprises in developing markets with the means to harness emerging technologies, including AI.
In a statement, the industry body highlighted the global challenge of ensuring low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are not left behind as more developed markets accelerate their adoption of AI and mobile technology.
The GSMA stated that the fund is aimed at LMICs across Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific regions.
Enterprises can now apply for grants ranging from £100,000 to £250,000, provided over a 15 to 18-month period, to support the testing and scaling of innovative solutions.
Other objectives of the fund include fostering stronger collaboration between enterprises and mobile network operators, as well as enhancing capacity building through access to bootcamps.
GSMA Head of Mobile for Development Max Cuvellier Giacomelli said: “AI and emerging technologies have immense potential to tackle global challenges, but much of their development has focused on advanced markets, leaving a gap in solutions designed for and by communities in LMICs. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI seeks to change this by empowering enterprises in these regions to harness AI for transformative, inclusive, and sustainable development where it is needed most.”
