The World Bank Group’s Technology & Innovation Lab works with internal operational teams across various sectors by applying emerging technology to solve business challenges. The Disruptive Technology for Development (DT4D) Trust Fund is real-testing AI approaches to tackle operational development challenges in WBG projects where traditional solutions have not worked. Current tests include AI solutions applied to DRM (Disaster Risk Management) preparedness, Infrastructure maintenance, forecasting of crisis and micro education solutions.
In May 2021, the World Bank Group published a working paper entitled Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Development on the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Review of National AI Strategies and Policies. The paper explores approaches to AI across 11 countries at different stages of digital maturity and economic development, mapping initiatives to different policy domain areas and identifying the tools and instruments that have been proposed to implement AI strategies.