aceWorld Bank says ‘small AI’ could transform developing countries
The World Bank is urging developing countries to kickstart the creation of “small AI” models, which can run on a mobile phone with low connectivity, to reap the full benefits of artificial intelligence. While Silicon Valley big tech firms are focused on ever more sophisticated consumer products, Paschal Donohoe, the World Bank’s chief knowledge officer, said AI could also accelerate development for emerging economies – but only if it was adapted to local needs. Small AI uses specialised models that are trained u…
Small, specialised AI models running on phones in local languages with low connectivity could deliver information such as soil analysis to farmers that too few experts can provide, potentially speeding development.
The case for small AI is presented as an argument and potential rather than a measured result, and the article notes that basic infrastructure such as electricity and internet connectivity is lacking in many places.
Evidence
- JournalismThe Guardian2026-10-18
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Truvace Impact Record TRV-2026-1802, v1: “World Bank says ‘small AI’ could transform developing countries.” Truvace, 2026-10-18. /record/TRV-2026-1802 (accessed at citation time). sha256 a10d4ea750117880…
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