World Bank says ‘small AI’ could transform developing countries
Bank’s chief knowledge officer says the tech could speed up economic development from centuries to decades The World Bank is urging developing countries to kickstart the creation of “small AI” models, which can run on a mobile phone with low connectivity, to reap the full benefits of artificial intelligence. While Silicon Valley big tech firms are focused on ever more sophisticated consumer…
The World Bank is encouraging developing countries to develop "small AI" models that can operate on mobile phones with limited connectivity. Paschal Donohoe, the World Bank's chief knowledge officer, argues that such AI could accelerate economic development in emerging economies within decades, rather than centuries. Unlike sophisticated tech from Silicon Valley, small AI uses specialized models trained with narrower datasets for specific purposes.
Donohoe cites the example of Indian farmers using AgriConnect, a World Bank agricultural scheme, who need soil analysis in their own language but lack access to sufficient experts. Small AI can bridge this gap, available on phones and in local languages. The World Bank's annual development report highlights AI's potential benefits, but warns that nearly a third of rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity and more than two-thirds have inconsistent internet.
IMFC's managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, emphasized the need for access to electricity, digital infrastructure, and government support for AI adoption, particularly for young people entering the labor market.
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