Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have become increasingly spoken about since ChatGPT was launched in late 2022. Implemented across numerous fields from logistics to healthcare, AI can help streamline processes, increase efficiency, and accelerate product development. Within the scope of international development, AI has the ability to support middle- and low-income countries in several sectors, including agriculture, education and economic development. That said, there are significant challenges and ethical queries that require consideration, and there are infrastructure barriers to AI implementation, including that, “a third of the world’s population (do) not have internet access.”
In the healthcare industry, AI can be used to analyse large datasets and predictive technologies can aid in the development of treatment plans and diagnoses. For example, the UNDP has used recent innovations in AI to support doctors in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) with new technology being used for increased precision when conducting X-ray imaging. With this technology, trained radiologists are not necessarily needed to interpret scans, meaning doctors without specialised training can screen and test more patients at a faster rate.
Agriculture is a key industry in many developing countries, and the increasingly negative impact of climate change can affect people economically and with regards to food security. Apps such as Plantix use pattern recognition technology to scan for pests and diseases on crops, and then suggest solutions for crop health and controlling the spread of diseases. AI has also been used to aid with crisis response times following a larger number of natural disasters in recent years. In October 2022, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Tractable announced a partnership to utilise AI to enhance disaster response and recovery in Fiji. This technology supports Fijian households in expediting insurance claims. The partnership involves a smartphone app that residents can use to quickly report property damage after disasters, using Tractable’s AI to facilitate more efficient recovery.
With the partnership between UNCDF and Tractable focused on implementation over a 12 month period, the timeframe is sufficient to allow residents to become accustomed to a new digital tool, working to improve digital literacy in underserved communities. The example is not only beneficial for residents, but allows insurance providers to manage claims fasters, reducing their overall costs. Quick action following insurance claims is particularly important following a natural disaster as the funds are required to rebuild and regain some sense of normality. This programme can act as a foundation for future AI initiatives to support the livelihoods of those affected by climate-related incidents, particularly in developing economies.
Looking to education initiatives and supporting teachers in environments which are often underfunded and understaffed, AI can be best used for clerical tasks. This allows teachers to focus their time on engaging with students and creating tailored lesson plans for differing needs. AI in learning environments is not needed to replace educators, but can instead facilitate adjustments for students with learning disabilities. Furthermore, the introduction of online tools — especially following the COVID-19 pandemic — allows students in rural areas to access education and teaching materials when previously this was not a possibility.
If implemented carefully and through collaborating with local stakeholders, AI can support substantial economic progress in developing countries. In manufacturing industries, AI can be used to create more effective supply chains and efficiently allocate resources. Countries rich in natural resources often suffer from Dutch Disease, and in these cases AI applications can be used to diversify country-wide income streams. This can already be seen in Nigeria with the country making AI investments in personal finance and business management which can bolster both pre-existing industries (oil and agriculture), and emerging ones (minerals processing and tourism). Whilst job displacement is a concern with the pervasiveness of AI, gradually retraining and upskilling workers to utilise and manage new technologies will enable a smoother transition.
As with AI adoption worldwide, several challenges must be addressed when implementing AI in a development context. The question of transparency and accountability is commonly brought up, and it is important to note that AI cannot directly replace the decision-making role. Human attributes, namely “contextual understanding,” are critical to promote fairness and reduce bias where AI is used to aid and quicken processes. Although AI has the possibility to widen the divide between advanced and developing economies, in low-income countries 26% of jobs are expected to be impacted by AI compared to 60% in high-income economies. To reduce the negative effect on the income gap, AI needs to be employed strategically to provide emerging economies with comparative advantage in certain sectors and to create systems which will build resilience in the long-term.
Continued collaboration between local stakeholders, private enterprises and international organisations is vital in order to advance positive AI adoption and implementation across developing nations. Within the Pacific Islands, this can come in the form of an AI Technical Assistance Facility — emphasised as a key recommendation by the AI Asia Pacific Institute — which would play a vital role in offering specialised expertise and tackling challenges via capacity-building programmes. Looking to the future, various AI applications can support economic and social progress, but strengthened AI regulatory frameworks and a higher level of digital literacy and awareness are required to innovate operations in a progressively digital world.
