The World Bank is advocating for the development of ‘small AI’—specialised artificial intelligence models that can operate efficiently on mobile phones with weak network signals—as a strategic tool to speed up growth in emerging economies by meeting local language and infrastructure needs.
- Small AI models run on phones with weak signals, addressing connectivity challenges.
- AI tailored to local languages and needs could accelerate growth by decades.
- World Bank raises $120 billion in private capital amid global aid budget cuts.
What happened
The World Bank Group has highlighted the potential of ‘small AI’, compact artificial intelligence models designed to run on mobile devices with limited connectivity, to support economic growth in developing countries. Paschal Donohoe, the bank’s chief knowledge officer, emphasized that AI must fit local needs, including functioning in local languages and operating effectively where internet signals are weak.
This initiative was a key topic during recent World Bank and IMF meetings. Examples such as Indian farmers benefiting from the AgriConnect program demonstrate how AI-based soil analysis in native languages can provide critical scientific insights otherwise unavailable due to the shortage of experts. The World Bank encourages cooperation among itself, governments, and private companies to create these AI tools.
Why it matters
Emerging economies face significant infrastructure challenges such as unreliable power and digital connectivity—nearly one third of rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity. Small AI can overcome these barriers by running on mobile phones without needing constant internet access, making AI advancements more accessible and practical in remote areas.
The promise of ‘small AI’ is to accelerate economic development processes that historically might have taken centuries, potentially shortening them to decades. This democratization of AI could enable vast populations to benefit from technology-driven productivity gains, though it also comes with risks, such as job displacement for entry-level roles identified by IMF leadership.
What to watch next
Stakeholders should monitor how global partnerships evolve around funding, development, and deployment of ‘small AI’ models tailored for low-resource settings. The World Bank has recently raised $120 billion in private capital amid aid budget reductions by major donors, signaling an increasing reliance on private investment to support development AI initiatives.
Additionally, governments must focus on establishing foundational infrastructure like power supply and digital security to ensure safe and equitable AI adoption. Observation of new pilot projects and scaling efforts, especially in agriculture and education, will indicate how quickly ‘small AI’ can impact everyday lives across developing regions.