Weekly Update: #WBGMeetings recap

➡️ Jobs, Capital, Technology: The Plenary Playbook
➡️ Local Jobs, Smarter Tools: Small AI in Action
➡️ Ajay Banga Takes Civil Society's Questions
➡️ Data Is the New Collateral
➡️ $112 Billion Mobilized. What Comes Next?

🔗 bit.ly/4825PFz 🔗

🗨️ We asked, you answered!

At the #WBGMeetings, we asked people what makes them optimistic about artificial intelligence and its potential to boost productivity, expand opportunities, and create more and better jobs in developing economies.⁠
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Learn more: bit.ly/4iOAvkp

AI + satellites = smarter trade.

@WorldBankGroup research shows how geospatial data can pinpoint congestion, improve freight flows, and strengthen trade corridors across Africa.

Read more: bit.ly/4yJGVXh

AI isn’t just for tech giants. Small AI offers practical solutions to help farmers, health workers, students, and small businesses thrive.

Learn more about AI’s potential for development. bit.ly/4iOAvkp

“A job is not a statistic. A job is dignity.”

At the #WBGMeetings plenary, Ajay outlined how investment in infrastructure, health, education, and skills, alongside private capital, can help create more jobs.

Turning the jobs challenge into opportunity starts with action today. s from the 2026 Annual Meetings: bit.ly/4sd4IMH

Weather updates. Pest alerts. Farming advice. Farmer Rani Devi is using small AI from Digital Green to support her farm and women across her community in India. 

Learn more on AI’s potential in development: live.worldbank.org/en/series/2026…

1.2 billion people are expected to reach working age in developing economies over the next 10–15 years.

Supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will be critical to creating the jobs and opportunities they need.

Learn more: bit.ly/4z2O04P

71% of surveyed emerging-market firms use AI. But are they making the most of it?

Skills and stronger capabilities are key to turning AI adoption into productivity and innovation.

Explore the findings: bit.ly/4hUvOoe

Ajay on @WorldBankGroup's role in taking solutions that work and extending their impact to hundreds of millions of people. bit.ly/47IF34U

Partnerships can turn ideas and resources into development results.

At the #WBGMeetings, the @WorldBankGroup launched its new Philanthropy Hub and engaged civil society and lawmakers on jobs, AI, debt, and private investment.

Explore the key takeaways from the #WBGmeetings bit.ly/3TQ3IkW

AI innovation is everywhere. The opportunity to scale it is not.

At Small AI Big Impact in Seoul, speakers explored how innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs across Africa and the Global South are building AI solutions for local challenges, and what it takes to expand economy.
▶️ bit.ly/47IF34U

💡 Electricity is opening new ways to earn.

In #Niger, Saoude can now sell cold drinks, ice, and frozen treats from home, alongside her bean paste business.

Read what’s possible when #PoweringAfrica: bit.ly/4z3vsBR #Mission300

RT @Paschald: At the Global AI & Digital Summit in Seoul this week, we asked ministers, tech leaders & partners: how do we take small AI so…

Investing in emerging markets is often seen as riskier, without the prospect of higher returns. New @WorldBankGroup research challenges that assumption.

@IFC_org lending data shows competitive returns, even in fragile markets. Higher risk can be priced and managed, unlocking jobs. blogs.worldbank.org/en/development…

More than 300 events. 13,000+ attendees. One big challenge: creating jobs.

From electricity and financing to AI and new partnerships, explore the key takeaways from the #WBGMeetings and what comes next: bit.ly/3TQ3IkW

AI can be an engine for jobs and productivity.

Ajay explains why, for developing countries, the AI conversation isn't only about jobs being disrupted, but the jobs that could be created by embracing its potential. bit.ly/47IF34U

How can AI create opportunities in developing economies?

At the #GlobalAIDigitalSummit in Seoul, leaders explored how practical, locally adapted AI can help health workers, farmers, and educators improve lives and create new opportunities.

🎥 Watch the replay: bit.ly/4876oxS

Digital access. Better services. More jobs.

The World Bank Group’s Digital Strategy aims to expand digital opportunity and help create jobs in developing countries.

Watch and learn more: bit.ly/4dQNsXx

What is the estimated global number of people who were still offline in 2024?

Want to learn more about how AI can create jobs and expand opportunities in developing countries? Join the "Closing the Gap: The Promise of AI in Developing Economies " event. live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/…