AMD To Help Make Bono’s Wish A Reality

AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced it will provide significant support to legendary musician Bono of U2 to make his wish of accelerating Internet connectivity to hundreds of thousands of Africans a reality. Bono’s wish to connect every hospital, health clinic and school in Ethiopia to the Internet is one of three wishes granted to him by Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) as part of the 2005 TED Prize.

AMD, Bono and TED share the belief that there is a profound benefit to connecting a larger share of the world’s population to the Internet. AMD’s support of this wish springs from the company’s 50×15 Initiative to connect 50 percent of the world’s population with basic computing capability and Internet connectivity by the year 2015.

“We are honored to help make Bono’s vision a reality in the context of our 50×15 commitment: to empower 50 percent of the world’s population with Internet access by 2015,” said Hector Ruiz, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of AMD. “Technology is only as powerful as it is accessible. Broader access brings education, information, and a sense of community that can help combat AIDS, malnutrition, ignorance and neglect. The power of a connected and enlightened world community is just beginning.”

Each year, through The TED Prize, the TED community honors three individuals who have shown that they can, in some way, positively impact life on this planet with a cash prize and commitment of support in satisfying three wishes. The wishes were unveiled last night at the TED 2005 Conference held in Monterey, California. This year’s winners are Bono, Canadian photo-artist Edward Burtynsky, and medical technologies pioneer Robert Fischell.

“The speed and decisiveness at which Hector Ruiz and the technology teams at AMD have moved is astounding,” said Chris Anderson, TED Curator. “AMD has stepped up to fulfill a wish that will impact countless lives in Africa. It is remarkable to witness a company with a conscience in action, and we are grateful to them for their efforts.

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