Global South AI4PEP Network Secures $1.25 Million Funding to Advance Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness Innovations in the Global South

The Global South AI for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network (AI4PEP) is thrilled to announce that it has secured an additional $1.25 million in funding, thanks to the generous support of the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). This new funding will accelerate AI4PEP’s mission to tackle critical public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries, enabling the expansion of AI-powered solutions across 15 innovative projects.

TORONTO, October 25, 2024 — The Global South AI for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network (AI4PEP), is excited to announce the successful closing of a new funding round, securing $1.25 million from the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). This partnership will support AI4PEP’s ongoing efforts to address pressing public health challenges through artificial intelligence.

The AI4PEP initiative is part of the broader AI4D program, a five-year partnership between IDRC and FCDO, aimed at advancing responsible AI development in low- and middle-income countries.

This new funding will support AI4PEP’s responsible AI solutions to be scaled and sustained through continued collaborations with communities, researchers and policymakers. With this additional support, AI4PEP will strengthen partnerships with local researchers, communities, and governments, and focus on scaling impactful solutions, including An AI-powered app for polio surveillance in Ethiopia; an air quality monitoring, analysis, and prediction system in South Africa; a fake news detection chatbot called “Dominique” in Brazil; an IoT and AI-powered system for mosquito monitoring, analysis, and prediction in Ghana; an AI-powered solution for neurocognitive condition surveillance in Indigenous communities across the Philippines; an AI-powered data portal for wastewater disease surveillance in Tunisia; and a cough monitoring tool in Peru.

“The seeds we planted last year have already blossomed into powerful tools saving lives and transforming communities,” says Dr. Jude Kong, Executive Director of AI4PEP. “When I think of the relentless outbreaks threatening our communities—from malaria to dengue, from my village to nations across the Global South—I’m reminded of why we started this journey. With support from IDRC and FCDO, we’re able to scale locally driven AI solutions that empower communities and governments, bringing equitable health resources and resilience where they’re most needed. What unifies us, beyond our shared mission, is a true sense of family and belonging that transcends borders. We’re learning, growing, and succeeding together—biweekly meetings, co-published research, and cross-border projects have cemented AI4PEP as a leader in public health AI.”

With the new funding, AI4PEP will also focus on expanding its research into new public health domains, continuing its efforts to bridge gaps between academic research and real-world applications. Each of the 15 projects will scale their impact, strengthen government partnerships, and enhance the capacity of local communities to implement AI solutions.

To learn more about AI4PEP and its projects, visit ai4pep.org or email jude.kong@utoronto.ca. Stay updated by following us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

ABOUT AI4PEP

The Global South AI for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network (AI4PEP) is a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening public health systems in low- and middle-income countries through responsible AI solutions. By leveraging the One Health approach, AI4PEP addresses the growing threat of disease outbreaks exacerbated by climate change and environmental changes. The network empowers local researchers and communities to develop AI-driven tools for disease prevention, preparedness, and response, ensuring equitable public health impact. AI4PEP works closely with governments and public health agencies to inform policy and scale solutions globally.

MEDIA CONTACT

Dr. Jude Kong

AI4PEP

jude.kong@utoronto.ca