World Bank says ‘small AI’ could transform developing countries
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Bank’s chief knowledge officer says the tech could speed up economic development from centuries to decades The World Bank is urging developing countries to kickstart the creation of “small AI” models, which can run on a mobile phone with low connectivity, to reap the full benefits of artificial inte
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A traditional village market in a developing country, with a woman using an old mobile phone to scan produce prices while other villagers look on with puzzled expressions.
Caption: World Bank says 'small AI' could transform markets, one QR code at a time.
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Based on the original story on theguardian.com.
Editor's note
The World Bank's push for "small AI" in developing countries is a big deal because it could help speed up progress and make life easier for people in nations that need it most. By using technology that doesn't require fancy equipment, more folks can get access to helpful tools and services, potentially cutting down on the time it takes to develop economically and improve living conditions.
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Panel 1
The World Bank is a global financial institution that provides loans and grants to developing countries to help them with their economic development. The idea here is that they want to leverage AI technology, specifically lightweight models that can run on low-end devices, to accelerate development in these countries. The irony lies in the notion of using advanced technology like AI to help countries that may still be struggling with basic infrastructure and connectivity. The highlight will be a humorous juxtaposition of a developing country's tech limitations and the grand ambitions of the World Bank’s AI initiative.
Panel 2
*Scene: A small village in a developing country. A young woman sits in a thatched hut, surrounded by old textbooks, and a simple mobile phone connected to a solar charger. She looks puzzled as she holds her phone, trying to load an app.* Woman (muttering to herself)
Woman: Is this really how we’re supposed to change the world?
Panel 3
*Scene: A bustling office at the World Bank. A conference room filled with screens and charts, where a group of well-dressed professionals are gathered around a table. The chief knowledge officer, a serious-looking man in a suit, is presenting a PowerPoint slide about models.* Chief Knowledge Officer (pointing to the screen)
Scene: small AI
Chief Knowledge Officer: Small AI models can run on even the most basic mobile phones and can transform economies in a matter of decades!
Panel 4
*Scene: Back in the village hut. The woman tries to open an app but the phone struggles to connect, showing a weak signal icon. She sighs heavily, holding the phone up to a small solar panel on the wall. Her face is a mix of frustration and bemusement.* Woman (to herself, wryly)
Woman: Decades, huh? Let’s hope my solar panel agrees.
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