A new report published by the World Bank Group outlines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support developing countries to accelerate a century’s worth of development in a decade, provided that governments act swiftly to close the gaps in power, connectivity, skills and institutional quality. However, 16.2% of jobs in developing economies could see productivity meaningfully boosted by AI, compared to the 18.7% expected in high-income countries. Indermit Gill, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at the World Bank Group, stressed that developing countries do not need large models or big data centres to reap its benefits. Many developing economies still lack the power, internet access, data, skills and institutions needed to use AI effectively. According to the World Bank Group, nearly one-third of rural schools in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack reliable electricity and over two-thirds lack dependable internet access.