World Bank says emerging-market AI investment needs local ecosystems

The Economic Times reports that a World Bank report says emerging markets will not capture AI gains by importing models alone. The report argues that countries need local digital infrastructure, skilled workers, data systems, and ecosystem support so AI investment turns into domestic productivity rather than dependence on outside platforms. It frames AI as a development issue where policy and infrastructure matter as much as model access.

Key details: The World Bank report focuses on emerging-market AI readiness, It says investment must go beyond imported models, Required foundations include infrastructure, talent, data, and local ecosystems.

Why it matters: The AI divide is increasingly about who can build local infrastructure and talent, not just who can call a frontier API.