IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the World Bank's report on AI and developing economies, which offers a framework to adopt, adapt and advance AI without deepening supplier dependence.

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• The World Bank released World Development Report 2026, titled "The Promise of Artificial Intelligence," on 4 August 2026.
• Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the report in New Delhi, according to the Press Information Bureau's 8 October release list.
• The report says global development progress has slowed to its weakest pace in 75 years, and AI offers developing economies a rare path to prosperity.
• It is described as the first comprehensive assessment of what AI means for developing economies, covering use by firms and governments, barriers, likely gains and risks.
• The report proposes a three-part framework for countries: adopt, adapt and advance.
• The framework aims to help countries capture AI's benefits without wasting scarce resources or deepening dependence on any single supplier.
• Generative AI could potentially automate 14.2% of jobs in high-income countries, compared with 4.5% in low- and middle-income countries.
• AI could raise productivity in over 16% of existing jobs in developing economies, against more than 18% in advanced economies.
• AI development remains concentrated in a small number of countries and companies, which could widen the global digital divide.
• Gaurav Nayyar is the Director of the World Bank Group's 2026 World Development Report.

Tags: WorldDevelopmentReport2026, ArtificialIntelligence, DigitalDivide