Can AI play a role in reducing inequality?

In the debate about how best to regulate artificial intelligence, what about its role in development and aid? Warnings about the potential for exacerbating inequality are rife – but the World Bank argues that the technology could be harnessed for good.

Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer at the World Bank Group, says there are concrete benefits in industries like farming, education and healthcare. "We know that artificial intelligence can play a role in crop productivity. By playing a role in helping farmers better managing what they are planting and harvesting, it has a bigger impact on their productivity and the income they gain. And I saw a very clear example of this in India, where I saw small rice farmers who, through use of artificial intelligence, were given better advice on how rice could be planted and harvested."

He believes developing economies can reap the benefits of AI if it's tailored to their needs – which he refers to as small AI. "That means AI that is more appropriately adjusted to local circumstances, has a higher ability to run offline, will have the ability to operate in environments in which connectivity or electricity may not be at a very high level."

Donohoe says that even as technology transforms daily life, development agencies remain focused on addressing inequality and basic needs like access to clean water, healthcare and education. "By ensuring in dealing with the development of artificial intelligence, that we do not for a moment lose sight of all [those] issues (...) We are recognising the change that is now taking place with AI, and we are making the case that while of course it brings challenges, small AI in particular, harnessed correctly with the right policies around it, can play a positive role."