The World Bank is urging developing countries to embrace smaller, affordable artificial intelligence tools, saying they could improve productivity, expand access to essential services and create economic opportunities without requiring expensive technology infrastructure.
The approach, described as “small AI”, focuses on specialised tools designed to solve specific problems. Unlike large AI systems that depend on significant computing resources, these tools can operate on basic mobile phones, work with limited internet connectivity and communicate in local languages.
The World Bank says such technology could help farmers identify crop diseases, support medical professionals in diagnosing patients, improve learning and assist small businesses in making better decisions.
For example, AI-powered agricultural services could allow farmers to receive advice on pests, fertiliser and harvesting through their phones, helping them improve yields and reduce costs.
The institution argues that developing countries do not necessarily need to build expensive, large-scale AI models to benefit from the technology. Instead, they can adopt existing tools and adapt them to local needs, languages and conditions.
However, the Bank has cautioned that the benefits will depend on reliable electricity, digital connectivity, relevant skills and effective institutions. Without these foundations, developing countries risk falling further behind economies already investing heavily in AI.
The warning comes as countries face pressure to create jobs for a growing young population. The World Bank estimates that 1.2 billion young people in developing economies will reach working age over the next decade, making job creation and productivity major development priorities.
The institution believes small AI could help countries improve public services and expand economic opportunities if governments, businesses and technology developers work together to scale practical solutions.
