Embrace AI for Development: The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has urged developing countries like Ghana to seize the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) for mutual growth.
Speaking at an AI summit centered on exploring AI’s challenges and opportunities in developing nations, themed “AI as a Catalyst to Transform Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Ms. Georgieva emphasized the potential benefits of AI adoption.
The summit featured a panel discussion aimed at delving into AI’s implications for emerging economies, with a particular focus on Ghana’s digitalization and AI readiness. The goal was to develop strategies for harnessing positive outcomes amidst the ongoing 4th industrial revolution.
Ms. Georgieva underscored the importance of leveraging AI’s capabilities while simultaneously addressing potential pitfalls such as inequalities and misinformation. She highlighted AI’s potential to enhance productivity by 3-5% and stressed the necessity of preventing its misuse.
“We can see three, four, five percent productivity gained if we go forward with artificial intelligence effectively. We definitely need something that will inject more dynamism in the world economy. Second, we also need to recognize that the skilled impact of artificial intelligence is gigantic. We have to think how we can make the best out of it, prevent artificial intelligence instead of a source of good to turn into a source of inequality, misinformation deepfakes, distortion in our lives,” she stated.
The remarks by the IMF Managing Director underscore the growing recognition of AI’s transformative potential in driving economic growth and development, particularly in emerging markets like Ghana. As the country continues its digitalization efforts, embracing AI technologies could pave the way for accelerated progress and innovation across various sectors.
