Key Facts
- Report publisher
- World Bank
- Publication date
- Tuesday (report released)
- Chief economist quote
- AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline
- IMF projection
- AI could boost Sub-Saharan Africa's economy by about 4% over the next decade
- Risk comparison
- Generative AI three times more likely to threaten jobs in rich countries than in low- and middle-income countries
Background
The World Bank released a report on Tuesday stating that artificial intelligence could enable developing countries to achieve a century's worth of development in a decade, provided they act quickly on power, connectivity, and skills gaps.
The report, published in London, highlights that widespread job losses due to AI are less of a threat to emerging economies. It says developing economies have more to gain and less to fear than richer nations.
Indermit Gill, the World Bank's chief economist, said in a statement: "AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it."
Current Situation
Companies worldwide are spending billions to harness an anticipated AI revolution, while governments are scrambling to ensure their nations reap the benefits. The challenge for many will be building power-hungry data centres and finding energy generation to support them.
Gill said emerging economies do not need vast resources or bespoke large language models to benefit. "By adapting small, low-cost AI tools to local conditions, they can bring better medical care, education, judicial services and agricultural extension within reach of millions," he said.
The report notes that health workers may use AI to speed diagnoses, teachers to improve lesson plans, and farmers to determine what to plant and when. The International Monetary Fund has said AI could boost Sub-Saharan Africa's economy by about 4% over the next decade under the right circumstances.
| Income group | Jobs at risk | Jobs benefiting from productivity gains |
|---|---|---|
| Rich countries | 14.2% | 18.7% |
| Low- and middle-income countries | 4.5% | 16.2% |
Impacts
The report found that generative AI is three times more likely to threaten jobs in rich countries than in low- and middle-income countries. It says the share of jobs expected to benefit from meaningful productivity gains is similar in both groups.
Governments must improve electricity and internet access, boost digital skills, and expand access to smartphones and computing devices, according to the report.
The report warns that AI could bring "greater income inequality, stealthier misinformation, and political repression." However, the cost of missing out would be severe. Gill said: "Today's developing economies missed the first Industrial Revolution and spent the next two centuries paying the price. They cannot afford to miss this one."
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If developing countries act quickly on power, connectivity, and skills gaps, they could gain a century's worth of development in a decade, according to the World Bank.
If they fail to adapt small, low-cost AI tools to local conditions, they may miss out on significant benefits in healthcare, education, and agriculture.
The report suggests that with the right circumstances, AI could boost Sub-Saharan Africa's economy by about 4% over the next decade, but this remains conditional on policy actions.
Source: geo.tv
खबर को बेहतर समझें
आंकड़े, तुलना और घटनाक्रम—एक ही जगह, बिना अनुमान के
Job risk and productivity gains by income group
Low- and middle-income countries4.5
सटीक आंकड़े देखें
| श्रेणी | Jobs at risk | Jobs benefiting from productivity gains |
|---|---|---|
| Rich countries | 14.2 | 18.7 |
| Low- and middle-income countries | 4.5 | 16.2 |
स्रोत:geo.tv स्रोत-समर्थित
