## Mapping the World's Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Shows Prospects Diverge

_IMF Blog, June 25, 2024_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Mapping the World's Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Shows Prospects Diverge](https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2024/06/25/mapping-the-worlds-readiness-for-artificial-intelligence-shows-prospects-diverge)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/blogs/articles/2024/06/25/mapping-the-worlds-readiness-for-artificial-intelligence-shows-prospects-diverge/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/blogs/articles/2024/06/25/mapping-the-worlds-readiness-for-artificial-intelligence-shows-prospects-diverge/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/blogs/articles/2024/06/25/mapping-the-worlds-readiness-for-artificial-intelligence-shows-prospects-diverge/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Giovanni Melina
- Published: June 25, 2024

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### Overview
- New AI Preparedness Index Dashboard tracks 174 economies based on readiness in four areas: digital infrastructure; human capital and labor market policies; innovation and economic integration; and regulation.
- AI has potential to increase productivity, boost economic growth, and lift incomes, but also could eliminate jobs and widen inequality.

### Key findings from the article
- AI could endanger 33 percent of jobs in advanced economies, 24 percent in emerging economies, and 18 percent in low-income countries.
- In advanced economies, some 30 percent of jobs could benefit from AI integration.
- Wealthier economies tend to be better equipped for AI adoption than low-income countries.
- Most emerging market economies and low-income countries have smaller shares of high-skilled jobs than advanced economies, implying they may face fewer immediate disruptions from job displacement but also have less capacity to harness AI’s benefits due to weaker infrastructure and skills.

### AI Preparedness Index Dashboard (coverage and purpose)
- Coverage: 174 economies.
- Dimensions measured: digital infrastructure; human capital and labor market policies; innovation and economic integration; regulation.
- Purpose: provide policymakers, researchers, and the public a resource to assess AI preparedness and to identify actions and policies needed to help ensure that the rapid gains of AI can benefit all.

### Distributional effects and scenarios
- Under most scenarios, AI will likely worsen overall inequality.
- Heterogeneous readiness: different countries are at different stages of readiness to leverage AI benefits and manage risks.
- Labor-market implications:
  - Potential for complementary effects where AI enhances worker skills, productivity, and pay for workers who can harness the technology.
  - Younger workers may find it easier to exploit AI opportunities; older workers may struggle to adapt.

### Policy recommendations (as stated)
- For advanced economies:
  - Expand social safety nets.
  - Invest in training workers.
  - Prioritize AI innovation and integration.
  - Strengthen regulation to protect people from potential risks and abuses and to build trust in AI.
  - Coordinate globally with other advanced economies on regulation.
- For emerging market and developing economies:
  - Lay a strong foundation by investing in digital infrastructure.
  - Invest in digital training for workers.

### Communication and further resources
- The dashboard is a response to stakeholder interest in accessing the index and is intended as a practical tool to inform policy design to mitigate risks and spread AI benefits.
- For additional context on how AI affects economies, refer to the IMF’s December issue of Finance & Development and the recent Analyze This! video (as noted in the source content).

*Giovanni Melina; June 25, 2024.*

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## References

- [Our research](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2024/01/14/Gen-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Work-542379)
- [reshape the global economy](https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity)
- [worsen inequality among nations](https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/06/17/fiscal-policy-can-help-broaden-the-gains-of-ai-to-humanity)
- [AI Preparedness Index Dashboard](https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/map/AI_PI@AIPI)
- [December issue](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2023/12/Editor-letter-the-AI-awakening)
- [Analyze This! video](https://www.imf.org/en/Videos/view?vid=6350154639112)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2024/06/25/mapping-the-worlds-readiness-for-artificial-intelligence-shows-prospects-diverge_