OpenAI Academy launches with $1M in developer credits for devs in low- and middle-income countries

submited by

Style Pass

2024-09-24 04:00:03

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More

I’m talking, of course, about the OpenAI Academy, a new effort announced today from the AI unicorn that will begin by awarding some unspecified number of developers in low- and middle-income countries $1 million in API credits.

The goal? To catalyze economic growth and innovation in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and finance, as well as “ensure that the transformative potential of artificial intelligence is accessible and beneficial to diverse communities worldwide.”

“Many countries have fast-growing technology sectors filled with talented developers and innovative organizations, yet access to advanced training and technical resources is still a significant barrier,” the announcement states. “Investing in the development of local AI talent can have a transformative impact across a range of industries.”

Cynics and skeptics will undoubtedly say this is some form of neo technological colonialism — with the U.S.-based OpenAI seeking to spread its influence and increase dependencies on its technology around the globe.