AI: A Shortcut to Development for Poor Countries?
As markets debate the AI bubble, The Economist looks at its social potential: in developing countries, AI could become a tool for democratizing knowledge and boosting economic growth.
While major markets are currently discussing AI sentiment and the resulting financial bubble , The Economist is dedicating an article to the value of artificial intelligence in reducing poverty in developing countries.
The snapshot offered by the London weekly is particularly encouraging and based on real data. The data is clear for all to ponder: 800 million people worldwide, or one-seventh of the world's adult population, already use ChatGPT to learn more about lesser-known topics. So why not think of AI as a tool for democratizing knowledge?
Less than three years after ChatGPT's launch, a United Nations survey shows that trust in AI is highest in countries with a lower level of development. Specifically, according to data reported by research firm GWI, Ghanaians and Nigerians are among the most enthusiastic users, who employ it as a "consultant" in various fields. This statistic confirms a reality verified by multiple studies and research: the most recent inventions have spread more rapidly in poor countries, but with only superficial use.
From this perspective, the adoption of AI, between energy and connectivity challenges , language problems , as well as difficulties in developing adequate skills , could prove even more challenging.
Can artificial intelligence democratize knowledge, making it accessible to all? Initial studies show positive signs.
In Nairobi , OpenAI and Penda Health , a chain of primary care clinics, tested a tool that supports doctors during visits. In a randomized trial of nearly 40,000 patients at 15 clinics, AI-assisted doctors reduced diagnostic errors by 16% and treatment errors by 13% .
In Nigeria, a six-week out-of-school program with Microsoft Copilot , in which students interacted with the chatbot twice a week, improved English scores by a level equivalent to nearly two years of additional education.
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