16.2% of jobs in developing economies could see productivity boosted by AI. Developing countries, including Kenya, stand to gain more from artificial intelligence than they stand to lose, a report by the World Bank now indicates. Technology is expected to boost worker productivity, create new economic opportunities and help governments improve public services despite a period of weak global growth.
The World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence, says fears that AI will wipe out jobs in poorer countries are largely misplaced. Instead, workers in developing economies are less exposed to automation than those in richer nations, while millions could become significantly more productive through the use of AI tools.
According to the report, only 4.5 per cent of jobs in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of automation from generative AI, compared with 14.2 per cent in high-income economies. At the same time, 16.2 per cent of jobs in developing countries could experience meaningful productivity gains from AI, only slightly below the 18.7 per cent projected for advanced economies.
The findings come as many developing economies grapple with their weakest average growth performance in three decades, raising hopes that AI could become a catalyst for faster economic expansion before the end of the decade. "AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it," said Indermit Gill, senior vice president and chief economist of the World Bank Group.
"They do not need large models or massive data centres to reap its benefits. By adapting small, low-cost AI tools to local conditions, they can bring better healthcare, education, judicial services and agricultural extension within reach of millions." The report says AI's greatest potential in developing countries lies in enhancing workers' capabilities rather than replacing them.
Doctors could use AI to improve diagnosis, farmers could receive better crop recommendations, teachers could personalise learning, while small businesses could automate routine tasks and improve efficiency without reducing employment.