World Bank urges developing economies to adopt AI for rapid growth

World Bank artificial intelligence developing economies productivity boost AI adoption

The World Bank’s 2026 World Development Report, “The Promise of Artificial Intelligence,” calls on developing countries to adopt low‑cost, context‑specific AI tools to accelerate progress. The report estimates that AI could raise productivity in 16.2 % of jobs in developing economies, compared with 18.7 % in high‑income nations, while only 4.5 % of jobs in low‑ and middle‑income countries face automation risk versus 14.2 % in richer economies. Chief Economist Indermit Gill described AI as a “lifeline” that can compress decades of development into a few years if governments close gaps in power, connectivity, skills and institutional quality. Potential benefits highlighted include improved healthcare, education, judicial services, agricultural extension, tax collection, social programmes and disaster response. The Bank stresses that swift action is needed to realise these gains before growth in developing economies hits a three‑decade low.

Entities: Aomori Prefecture · Artificial intelligence · A‑share market · BOON · China · China A‑share market · Chinese securities regulator · FYNA Co., Ltd. · Guo Zheng Value 100 Index · Guozheng Value 100 Index · Hirosaki City · Hirosaki Nebuta Festival

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] A special 1‑night, 2‑day retreat package combining accommodation and forest therapy is offered for the anniversary. (e72c0c43-7870-45fd-9f18-1bc3b4051590)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The festival includes a daytime procession on the Tatekawamachi route from August 1‑4. (d86e1536-de57-4fdf-9787-7467b6f9921b)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The base is located in Oguni town, Yamagata Prefecture, and features beech trees over 200 years old. (e72c0c43-7870-45fd-9f18-1bc3b4051590)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Hirosaki Nebuta Festival is held from August 1 to August 7, 2026. (d86e1536-de57-4fdf-9787-7467b6f9921b)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The floats depict scenes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin. (d86e1536-de57-4fdf-9787-7467b6f9921b)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Nukumidaira Forest Therapy Base was Japan’s first certified forest‑therapy site in 2006. (e72c0c43-7870-45fd-9f18-1bc3b4051590)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Children and tourists can participate in pulling the floats. (d86e1536-de57-4fdf-9787-7467b6f9921b)
[○ 1 SOURCE] 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Nukumidaira Forest Therapy Base. (e72c0c43-7870-45fd-9f18-1bc3b4051590)
[○ 1 SOURCE] FYNA launched the beta version of its Japanese‑language AI music‑generation service “otojam” on 30 June 2026. (33cbf6d0-e7d8-4c7f-a521-ae5ee8cfeff6)
[○ 1 SOURCE] BOON, a Korean‑style milk‑ice shop, opened in Takabira, Yokkaichi on 3 August 2026. (a509bdc8-6d94-43a2-9f65-cc870d5798f9)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Zettelia’s “ゼッテリア鈴鹿中央通店” will open on 10 August 2026 in Suzuka, Mie. (a2b17a46-0d7e-435f-8173-e8d069c0fa10)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The “福祉のつどい金沢2026” welfare gathering is scheduled for 4 October 2026 in Kanazawa and will be free to the public. (69523256-308d-45a1-88b3-577b6e180e26)