World Leaders Discuss Small AI as a Driver of Jobs and Economic Growth at the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva discussed how practical, affordable artificial intelligence (AI) can move beyond pilot projects to create jobs and deliver broader economic benefits at the World Bank Group’s flagship event, “Small AI: More and Better Jobs,” during the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings.

Banga highlighted five key areas where Small AI could make a difference: infrastructure, smallholder agriculture, primary healthcare, manufacturing, and local job creation.

Tharman emphasised that AI is still at an early stage of development and called for closer cooperation between governments and the private sector to develop adaptive education policies and promote lifelong learning. These efforts could help mitigate the risk of a K-shaped economy, in which some groups benefit from growth while others fall behind, and encourage businesses to hire more young people.

Georgieva noted that AI could affect approximately 40% of jobs worldwide. For Asian economies, Small AI could help drive growth and offset productivity losses associated with ageing populations. She also called for fiscal and tax reforms to respond to changes in the labour market.

Small AI focuses on practical, affordable applications tailored to local languages, infrastructure, and budgets. By scaling up these solutions, developing countries can harness AI to improve productivity, create better jobs, and expand economic opportunities.

The 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings are being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok from 12 to 18 October, bringing global leaders together to discuss jobs, investment, economic growth, and development challenges.