NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Monday, April 22, 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) could displace millions of jobs in the future, damaging growth in developing regions such as Africa, says Ian Goldin, professor of globalisation and development at Oxford University.

I have spent my career in international development, and in recent years have established a research group at Oxford University looking at the impact of disruptive technologies on developing economies.

Perhaps the most important question we have looked at is whether AI will pose a threat – or provide new opportunities – for developing regions such as Africa.

Optimists say that such places could use rapidly advancing AI systems to boost productivity and leapfrog ahead.