The World Bank is urging developing countries to adopt “small AI” systems—lightweight, purpose-built models that run on mobile phones with limited connectivity—to accelerate growth and service delivery. Chief Knowledge Officer Paschal Donohoe said locally adapted, on-device tools could compress development timelines from centuries to decades, citing Indian farmers who need soil analysis in their own languages. At IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that AI could augment or eliminate roughly 40% of jobs globally, pressing governments to expand electricity, digital networks, skills and safeguards. The World Bank noted glaring infrastructure gaps—particularly in rural Africa—and highlighted $120 billion mobilized in private capital over the past year to support development. The pitch: pair AI tailored to local constraints with investment in basic infrastructure to spread productivity gains more broadly.
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