World Bank Urges Developing Nations to Fast-Track AI Adoption for Economic Growth

By Admin, Lagos

The World Bank has urged developing countries to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth, improve public services and help poorer nations achieve decades of development progress within a much shorter period.

In its World Development Report 2026: the lender said developing economies must invest in reliable electricity, internet connectivity, computing capacity, digital skills and stronger institutions to fully benefit from AI.

The report noted that workers in developing countries face a lower risk of job automation than those in advanced economies. It estimated that only 4.5 per cent of jobs in low- and middle-income countries are vulnerable to automation by generative AI, compared with 14.2 per cent in high-income economies.

World Bank Group Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Indermit Gill, said developing countries do not need expensive AI models or massive data centres to benefit from the technology.

“AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it,” Gill said, adding that low-cost AI tools can improve healthcare, education, agriculture and public services.

The World Bank, however, warned that inadequate infrastructure, limited digital skills and weak institutions could prevent many countries from harnessing AI’s full potential.

It urged governments to expand access to electricity, internet services, computing resources and local datasets while creating policies that encourage innovation and responsible AI use.