AI Can Help Developing Countries Leapfrog into the Future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and economies around the world. But many developing countries are being left behind in the AI race. This article explains how AI can help developing nations leapfrog ahead and achieve rapid progress.

AI refers to computer systems that can perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making. With advances in machine learning and neural networks, AI is powering innovations in fields like healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, transportation and more.

Developed countries are surging ahead in the global AI race by investing heavily in research and development. But developing countries often lack the resources and technical skills needed to adopt AI. This could widen inequality if proactive measures are not taken to spread the benefits of AI.

Fortunately, AI also presents huge opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog ahead. If implemented thoughtfully, AI can help overcome development challenges, spur economic growth, and improve people’s lives.

How is AI currently distributed around the world?

Currently, the United States and China lead the world in AI capabilities, accounting for over 70% of leading AI researchers and academic papers. The UK, Canada, Germany, France and Japan are also making major investments in AI.

In contrast, developing countries account for just 5% of worldwide AI research. Many emerging economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America lack national AI strategies. According to the 2021 Government AI Readiness Index, only 25 of 160 countries surveyed had published national AI plans.

This divide between developed and developing countries could grow quickly as advances in AI accelerate. Proactive efforts are needed to spread AI capabilities more equitably for the benefit of all.

Why are countries falling behind in AI adoption?

Several factors contribute to the lag in AI adoption in the developing world:

• Limited technical skills and infrastructure: Developing countries often lack an educated workforce with skills in computer science, data science and machine learning. Technical infrastructure like high-speed internet and cloud computing is also underdeveloped. This makes implementing AI difficult.
• Insufficient research funding: Governments and private firms in developing countries invest little in AI research and development. This limits innovation tailored to local contexts.
• Absence of policies and regulation: Many developing countries lack policies, regulations and guidelines to govern the ethical development and use of AI. This creates uncertainty for organizations exploring AI.
• Risk aversion: Developing countries can be wary of absorbing the risks associated with pioneering AI applications. But being overly cautious also prevents making progress.

Why is it important to spread AI capabilities to developing countries?

Spreading AI capabilities more equitably worldwide is critical for several reasons:

• Avoiding the emergence of a digital divide: If the AI revolution is concentrated in developed nations, it could exacerbate inequalities and leave developing countries further behind.
• Spurring economic growth: AI can massively boost productivity and efficiency. Developing countries can harness this to accelerate economic development.
• Improving governance: AI tools can improve the capacity of governments to deliver public services and benefits to citizens.
• Empowering marginalized communities: AI applications in areas like healthcare, education and finance can expand opportunities for girls, women, and rural populations.
• Solving local problems: Homegrown AI solutions tailored to the specific needs of developing countries can address challenges like hunger, poverty and illiteracy.
• Preparing for the future of work: As AI transforms jobs and skills, developing countries must prepare their workforces to remain competitive.

How can AI help developing countries make progress?

AI has huge potential to drive progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries. Here are some key ways AI can help:

Improving Healthcare Outcomes

• Apply machine learning to medical diagnosis and treatment recommendations. This assists understaffed hospitals and clinics.
• Develop AI chatbots and virtual assistants to provide basic healthcare advice to underserved communities.
• Analyze healthcare datasets to predict and contain disease outbreaks earlier.

Increasing Agricultural Productivity

• Use AI-enabled satellite imagery, drones and sensors to monitor crop growth and identify problems precisely.
• Match seeds and inputs to local soil and climate conditions using AI algorithms.
• Enable data-driven decisions on irrigation, fertilizer use and harvesting.

Expanding Financial Inclusion

• Apply machine learning to increase access to loans and insurance for unbanked populations by assessing creditworthiness through mobile phone usage patterns.
• Use chatbots to provide personalized financial advice and enable mobile banking through speech interfaces.

Improving Education Access and Quality

• Scale high-quality education through AI-powered online courses and personalized learning platforms.
• Provide smart academic and career guidance tailored to each student’s strengths.
• Assist overburdened teachers by automating standardized activities like grading.

Empowering Women

• Enable women entrepreneurs through AI-based skills matching platforms and access to markets.
• Use AI chatbots to raise awareness of reproductive health, legal rights, and safety issues anonymously.

Optimizing Smart Cities

• Manage traffic patterns and public transit based on real-time data to reduce congestion and energy usage.
• Apply computer vision to improve public safety and enable predictive policing.
• Automate tax collection and utilize data analytics to improve urban planning decisions.

What steps can developing countries take to build AI readiness?

While the AI divide is growing, developing countries can take proactive measures to promote “good AI” that protects rights while improving lives. Here are some recommendations:

• Prioritize education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Nurturing strong technical talent is the foundation for AI innovation. Grants, scholarships and vocational training in AI should be expanded.
• Strengthen internet access and digital infrastructure. High-speed broadband and cloud computing resources enable real-time data collection and analysis critical for modern AI models.
• Formulate national AI strategies. Governments should develop comprehensive plans to foster AI development and adoption while managing risks. Strategies should address data governance, workforce readiness, and sector-specific AI applications.
• Increase R&D spending and encourage startups. Governments can directly fund academic research in AI and provide tax incentives for businesses to invest in innovation. Accelerator programs and angel funding can also nurture startups applying AI to local needs.
• Develop policies for ethical, safe and inclusive AI. Regulations and voluntary best practices should ensure fairness, accountability, safety and privacy in AI systems. Underrepresented voices should help shape policies.
• Foster regional cooperation. Developing nations can pool limited resources and technical talent by collaborating with neighbors on shared AI priorities. Regional partnerships can be an effective stepping stone to full AI readiness.

Which developing countries are ahead in AI readiness?

While developing countries lag overall, some are moving faster to close the AI gap:

• India: Has become a top global hub for AI talent and research. The government’s national AI strategy emphasizes skills development, adapting AI for social inclusion, and integrating AI into different sectors.
• Southeast Asian countries: Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have made significant investments in building a supportive environment for AI innovation in both the private and public sectors.
• Latin America: Uruguay, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Chile are emerging AI leaders in the region. Efforts are underway to increase funding, attract tech talent and apply AI to agriculture and the public sector.
• Africa: South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya and Rwanda have led Sub-Saharan Africa in developing national AI plans. AI applications there focus on transportation, healthcare, logistics, farming, and education.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

In summary, developing countries should view AI as an opportunity, not a threat. Embracing AI can accelerate progress on health, education, gender equality, economic growth and other development goals. But proactive policy efforts are needed to build technical capacity, enable data-driven decision making, and manage risks. With thoughtful implementation, AI can help the developing world leapfrog into the future and create more equitable societies.

Here are the key points to remember:

• Developed countries currently dominate AI research and development. The AI divide between the Global North and South is large but not insurmountable.
• Developing countries should prioritize building technical skills, digital infrastructure, datasets, and innovation ecosystems to foster “good AI.”
• National AI strategies that promote inclusion and manage risks are important to guide sustainable adoption.
• AI applications can improve healthcare access and quality, increase agricultural yields, expand financial inclusion, upgrade education, empower women and enhance smart cities.
• Developing countries should collaborate regionally and globally to set AI standards and share best practices for ethical AI governance.
• Leapfrogging with AI will require public-private partnerships, cross-border knowledge sharing, and addressing the digital gender divide.

FAQs

What are some challenges for AI adoption in developing countries?

Developing nations often face challenges like lack of technical infrastructure, AI talent, research funding, policies, and risk aversion when it comes to adopting AI. Building capabilities takes concerted effort.

How can governments help spread AI readiness?

Governments play a key role through investments in STEM education, digital infrastructure, setting standards for responsible AI use, funding R&D, and encouraging private sector innovation.

Which developing regions show the most AI progress?

India, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America, and some countries in Africa have shown leadership in crafting national AI strategies, though gaps persist.

What are risks of concentrating AI in wealthy nations?

Concentrating AI in developed countries risks exacerbating digital divides and inequality. Inclusive growth requires spreading benefits worldwide.

How can AI improve outcomes for women in developing countries?

AI can help women access healthcare info, financial services, educational resources and job opportunities. AI can also analyze data to reduce gender discrimination.

Does AI have downsides for developing countries?

AI has some risks like job losses in certain sectors. Developing nations should proactively shape policies to maximize benefits and share gains widely through training programs.

How can developing countries collaborate on AI?

Nations can pool resources and knowledge through bilateral and regional partnerships. These coalitions can coordinate on data, technical standards, and governance norms for ethical, socially beneficial AI adoption.

Are there examples of AI applications benefitting developing countries?

Yes, AI is already improving healthcare diagnosis, increasing agriculture yields, expanding financial access, enhancing education, optimizing smart cities, and more in developing countries.

How can policymakers create an enabling environment for AI innovation?

Governments can support a dynamic AI ecosystem via research funding, incentives for startups and skills training, infrastructure investment, and developing regulations that foster innovation with guardrails.

What is the future potential of AI for developing countries?

If harnessed prudently, AI can massively accelerate progress on health, social services, economic growth, and living standards for people in developing countries in the years ahead.