ADDIS – ABABA, Aug 5 – The World Bank has urged developing countries to move faster in adopting artificial intelligence (AI), saying the technology could help boost economic growth, improve public services and speed up development.
In its World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence, released on Tuesday, the lender said countries need to strengthen electricity supply, internet access, computing capacity, digital skills and institutions to make the most of AI.
It found that workers in developing countries face a lower risk of job automation than those in wealthier nations. About 4.5% of jobs in low- and middle-income countries could be affected by generative AI, compared with 14.2% in high-income economies. Instead, the report said AI is more likely to improve productivity, with around 16.2% of jobs expected to benefit.
The World Bank said governments and businesses are already using AI to improve decision-making, analyse data and expand public services. It added that the technology can support healthcare, farming, education, tax collection, disaster response and public administration.
However, the lender warned that many developing countries still lack reliable electricity, affordable internet, computing resources and skilled workers needed to benefit fully from AI.
To address this, the report recommends that countries first adopt existing AI tools, adapt them to local needs and gradually build the capacity to develop more advanced systems. It also called for more investment in infrastructure, digital skills, local data and policies that encourage innovation while protecting privacy and building public trust.
