US President Donald Trump has described artificial intelligence as a "Golden Goose" despite warnings from industry leaders that it could pose significant risks to humanity. On September 14, Trump questioned claims that AI could destroy humanity, calling them a "hoax". His remarks have sparked concerns about the development and deployment of AI, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare. The debate is gaining traction in Rwanda, where the government is exploring ways to leverage AI to improve healthcare services.
The global AI industry is witnessing significant investment, with Stanford University's 2026 AI Index estimating that private AI investment in the United States reached $285.9 billion in 2025, compared with $12.4 billion in China. The White House believes that the country with the strongest AI industry will gain economic and military advantages and help set global standards. Trump's administration is seeking to remove regulations it considers burdensome to speed up the development of data centres and energy infrastructure.
Some AI industry leaders, including OpenAI's Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, are calling for stronger public oversight of AI development and deployment. They warn that AI capabilities may advance faster than our ability to manage them. Computer scientist Roman Yampolskiy has issued a darker warning, stating that if AI begins designing more capable AI without effective human control, "we will become secondary species on this planet".
The European Union has adopted an AI law that places stronger obligations on applications judged to pose greater risks. In contrast, Rwanda is approaching AI from a different angle, focusing on how it can improve services like healthcare. The country has roughly one health worker per 1,000 people, according to Bill Gates. To address this shortage, the Gates Foundation and OpenAI have launched Horizon 1000, a $50 million initiative to support primary care clinics across African countries.
The Horizon 1000 initiative aims to reach 1,000 primary care clinics and their communities by 2028. Gates says the tools should "support health workers, not replace them". For clinicians managing long queues, AI-powered help with records or clinical guidance could mean more time with each patient. However, whether AI can improve healthcare services safely in Rwanda remains to be demonstrated.
President Paul Kagame has expressed his ambition for AI to be "a force for good" and urged countries to use AI to reduce inequality. He co-chairs the AI for Good Global Commission, which examines public trust, access, and practical benefits. Rwanda's health plans also highlight a weakness in the debate dominated by Washington and Beijing - the need for AI systems that can work effectively in local languages like Kinyarwanda.
For Rwanda, the measure of success will be whether patients receive better care while health workers remain firmly in charge. The country must balance the potential benefits of AI with the need for safety and accountability. As the global debate on AI continues, Rwanda's experience with AI in healthcare will be closely watched.
Key points
- The US and China are competing for dominance in the AI industry, with significant investments in the sector.
- Rwanda is exploring the use of AI to improve healthcare services, despite concerns about safety and accountability.
- The development and deployment of AI require strong public oversight to mitigate potential risks.
