The World Bank has outlined a clear path for developing economies in its latest report: adopt artificial intelligence into government governance and business operations as soon as possible, and adapt existing tools to local needs—but there's no need to compete with wealthy countries in building large data centers or large language models. Instead of investing heavily in computing power, promoting small, low-cost AI tools that have been locally adapted is more likely to truly improve the quality of healthcare and education.

This call to action is backed by a sobering reality. Developing economies are currently experiencing the weakest average growth performance in 30 years, and the World Bank believes AI has the potential to bring them back on track for growth. "AI is more likely to be a helper for workers rather than taking their jobs," the report states. It envisions a compressed timeline: through AI, hundreds of millions of people who have long lacked access to services can obtain expensive medical, legal, educational, and agricultural services. Progress that might have taken 100 years in the past could now be achieved within 10 years.

The impact of job displacement will not be evenly distributed. The risk of automation taking jobs in high-income countries is more than three times that of middle- and low-income countries; conversely, AI can also help alleviate shortages of skilled professionals, assisting teachers with lesson planning, helping nurses interpret medical images, and giving farmers planting advice, thereby boosting human efficiency.

However, the real obstacle lies in the foundation. Some developing countries still lack internet access, electricity, and AI skills—by 2024, three out of every 10 rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa lack stable electricity, and 89% of 10-year-old children cannot read simple texts. The World Bank warns: if infrastructure, talent, institutions, and financing conditions do not improve, AI will not narrow the gap but may even widen it. The report also highlights concerns: jobs in call centers and basic software outsourcing may decline, and social inequality, cybercrime, and dependence on foreign technology may increase as a result.