World Bank Report Says AI Can Accelerate Growth in Developing Economies

The World Bank Group released its World Development Report 2026, titled “The Promise of Artificial Intelligence,” highlighting how artificial intelligence could enable developing countries to achieve in a decade what would otherwise take a century. The report stresses that rapid government action is needed to close gaps in electricity, internet connectivity, skills and institutional quality.

It finds that only about 4.5% of jobs in low‑ and middle‑income economies face automation risk, compared with 14.2% in high‑income nations, while productivity could rise by 16.2% – close to the 18.7% projected for richer countries. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Indermit Gill said, “AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it,” adding that small, low‑cost AI tools can improve health care, education, judicial services and agriculture without requiring large data centers.

The report also notes early adoption examples where AI assists doctors in diagnosis, helps farmers make better crop decisions, and supports governments in tax collection, disaster response and social program delivery.