The World Bank’s World Development Report 2026 says AI could boost productivity in 16.2% of jobs in developing economies, compared with 18.7% in high-income economies, but warns that unequal access to the capabilities needed to use AI could widen the gap between countries.

The report estimates that generative AI could put 4.5% of jobs in low- and middle-income countries at potential automation risk, versus 14.2% in high-income economies; research by the International Labour Organization and the World Bank across 135 countries similarly found limited automation exposure but substantial potential for AI to augment workers in developing economies.

That potential is unfolding amid concentrated investment: UN Trade and Development says AI and digital infrastructure funding, computing capacity, finance, data and technical expertise remain focused in relatively few countries and companies, while fewer than one-third of developing countries have adopted national AI strategies.

The digital divide is another major constraint: the International Telecommunication Union estimates about 6.3 billion people will be online in 2026, leaving around 2 billion offline; internet use is 93% in high-income economies but 32% in low-income countries, and 42% in Africa.

Turning AI access into productivity gains also requires reliable connectivity, computing infrastructure, skilled workers, usable data and institutions that can integrate the technology into work, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Usman Ghani Khan said; without those foundations, AI may remain merely a consumer technology.

Khan advised developing countries to start by applying AI in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, public administration and financial services, adapting existing tools to local languages, data and needs instead of immediately trying to build the largest models.

The World Bank’s broader message is that countries can adapt existing AI to local institutions and development priorities, and that widening access across businesses, workers and public institutions—while building the capabilities to use it—will determine whether AI supports sustained growth or deepens existing disparities.