The World Bank is advocating for developing countries to initiate the creation of "small AI" models. These models are designed to run on mobile phones even with low connectivity, aiming to help these nations fully benefit from artificial intelligence.
Paschal Donohoe, the World Bank’s chief knowledge officer, stated that AI has the potential to accelerate economic development in emerging economies from centuries to decades, provided it is adapted to local requirements. He highlighted that "small AI" uses specialised models trained on narrower datasets for specific purposes, making them accessible in local settings, with low connectivity, and in local languages on mobile phones.
Donohoe cited the example of Indian farmers in the AgriConnect scheme needing soil analysis in their own language, suggesting "small AI" could deliver this information. He proposed that such products could emerge from collaborations between the World Bank, governments, and the private sector.
During the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Bangkok, Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s managing director, urged governments to establish preconditions for AI's success, including access to electricity and digital infrastructure. Georgieva also warned that AI is likely to augment or eliminate 40% of jobs globally over time, with a particularly acute impact on young people entering the job market.