Brief
World Bank urges developing nations to adopt ‘small AI’ models
World Bank chief knowledge officer Paschal Donohoe promotes mobile‑friendly AI for emerging economies as IMF leaders discuss digital infrastructure in Bangkok.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The World Bank is urging developing countries to create “small AI” models that run on low‑connectivity mobile phones, its chief knowledge officer Paschal Donohoe said during the IMF‑World Bank meetings in Bangkok.
What happened
At a panel on Monday, Donohoe described “small AI” as specialised models trained on narrow datasets for specific tasks, designed to work offline and in local languages. He cited Indian farmers in the Bank’s AgriConnect scheme who need soil‑analysis advice in their own language, arguing that mobile‑based AI could fill the gap left by a shortage of scientists.
What the reports add
The Guardian reported that Donohoe, a former Irish finance minister, highlighted the potential for “decades‑fast” economic development if such tools are deployed locally. He also noted that the World Bank’s annual development report warned that nearly a third of rural schools in sub‑Saharan Africa lack electricity and more than two‑thirds lack reliable internet.
What was said
“We argue that economic development in the countries that we serve … could have taken centuries to make happen, the potential is there for that economic development now to happen within decades,” Donohoe told the panel, according to the Guardian.
IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva added that governments must provide electricity, digital infrastructure and safety nets for AI adoption to be “as democratic as the cellphone.”
How it came about
The push for “small AI” aligns with the World Bank’s broader focus on private‑sector partnerships under President Ajay Banga. Earlier this week, the Bank’s development report highlighted AI’s growth potential while flagging infrastructure gaps that could hinder adoption.
Key facts
- World Bank chief knowledge officer Paschal Donohoe promoted "small AI" models for developing countries. (theguardian.com)
- Small AI is designed to run on mobile phones with low connectivity and in local languages. (theguardian.com)
- Indian farmers in the Bank's AgriConnect scheme were cited as a use case for mobile AI. (theguardian.com)
- IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva called for basic electricity and digital infrastructure to enable AI adoption. (theguardian.com)
- The World Bank's development report noted that about one‑third of rural sub‑Saharan schools lack electricity and two‑thirds lack reliable internet. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “World Bank says ‘small AI’ could transform developing countries”
