The World Economic Forum released today a new report outlining how AI can drive inclusive economic growth and societal progress. While AI has the power to reshape economies and societies, ensuring that its benefits are shared equitably remains a major challenge globally. The report offers strategies for leaders to address equity concerns, tailor artificial intelligence to local needs and drive sustainable, long-term economic growth for all.
Nine objectives
The report, ‘Blueprint for Intelligent Economies’, developed in collaboration with KPMG, outlines nine strategic objectives designed to support every stage of the AI journey – innovation, development, deployment and adoption at the national, regional and global levels. Part of the Forum’s AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration Initiative, the report addresses disparities in AI access, infrastructure, advanced computing and skills. It provides actionable insights and showcases successful case studies to inform efforts by governments, at all AI maturity levels, and other key stakeholders to promote more inclusive and resilient AI ecosystems worldwide.
“Leveraging AI for economic growth and societal progress is a shared goal, yet countries and regions have very different starting points,” said Cathy Li, head of AI, data and the metaverse at the World Economic Forum. “This blueprint serves as a compass, guiding decision-makers towards impact-oriented collaboration and practical solutions that can unlock AI’s full potential,” she added.
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AI strategy
Designing national and regional AI strategies that actively involve all stakeholders—governments, businesses, entrepreneurs, civil society, and users—is critical for addressing local needs. The report advocates for AI strategies that are supported by high-level leadership and developed in close collaboration with local communities. This approach can help address key issues like responsible governance, data privacy, and the local impact of AI policies on innovation and investment.
“The significant potential of AI remains largely untapped in many regions worldwide. Establishing an inclusive and competitive AI ecosystem will become a crucial priority for all nations,” said Solly Malatsi, minister of communications and digital technologies of South Africa. “Collaboration among multiple stakeholders at the national, regional and global levels will be essential in fostering growth and prosperity through AI for everyone,” he said.
The report draws from global expertise and provides tailored frameworks for nations at varying stages of AI development. While every region faces unique challenges, the blueprint emphasizes the importance of adapting successful solutions from elsewhere. For example, regional frameworks for sharing AI infrastructure and energy resources can help overcome national resource limitations, while centralized databanks can create inclusive local datasets that reflect the needs of diverse communities. Public-private subsidies can also widen access to affordable AI-ready devices, helping local innovators adopt AI technologies and scale their operations.
“All nations have a unique opportunity to advance their economic and societal progress through AI,” said Hatem Dowidar, CEO of E&. “This requires a collaborative approach of intentional leadership from governments supported by active engagement with all stakeholders at all stages of the AI journey. Regional and global collaborations remain fundamental pathways to address shared challenges and opportunities, ensure equitable access to key AI capabilities, and responsibly maximize its transformative potential for a lasting value for all,” he added.
