- The World Bank has called on developing countries to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), saying the technology has the potential to transform public services and drive faster economic development.
- In its latest World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence, the World Bank stated that AI could help countries improve healthcare, education, and governance while narrowing long-standing development gaps.
- The report suggests that AI could enable countries to accomplish in a decade what might otherwise take generations, provided they adopt the technology strategically and address existing barriers.
- A global technology centre in partnership with ITOCHU Corporation's IT strategy arm is expected to accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation across the Japanese conglomerate's global operations.
- The Global Tech Centre will operate as an extension of ITOCHU's internal IT division, focusing on deploying AI and digital solutions across ITOCHU's worldwide network.
The World Bank has called for urgent action from developing nations to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), stating it could enable them to achieve in a decade what traditionally takes a century. In its World Development Report 2026, the institution highlights AI's potential to transform public services and drive economic growth.13
The report emphasizes that strategic investment in digital infrastructure, skills, and institutional capacity is essential for harnessing AI's benefits. Indermit Gill, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, noted, "AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it." He stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for innovation and technology adoption.
AI can significantly enhance sectors like healthcare, where it supports faster diagnosis and better patient management, and education, by personalizing learning and expanding access to resources. The report also points out that AI can improve governance by making systems more efficient and accessible.2
However, the World Bank cautions that many developing nations face challenges such as reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and skilled human resources that could limit AI adoption. Without timely policy reforms, AI risks widening existing inequalities. The report advocates for a phased strategy, starting with existing AI tools and gradually advancing to more complex applications as foundational capabilities improve.
Gill concluded, "The window to get this right is narrow," urging governments to invest now to better position themselves for future growth.
“Only 4.5% of jobs in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of automation from generative AI, versus 14.2% in high-income economies, while 16.2% of developing-economy jobs could see productivity gains. "The window to get this right is narrow," said Gaurav Nayyar, director of the World Development Report 2026.”
Elets eGov
Vietnam Investment Review - VIR
