AI in the Global South: Who Sets the Rules? | DW News

As governments in Africa and Asia invite data centers into their countries, the World Bank says phone-based AI could transform health care and farming there—if electricity and access keep pace. In this DW News segment, Makhtar Diop, head of the World Bank's private-sector arm, discusses the potential and challenges of AI in the Global South. Diop emphasizes that while AI offers significant opportunities for development, it requires robust infrastructure, particularly reliable electricity and widespread internet access. Without these, the benefits of AI could remain out of reach for many. He also addresses the need for regulatory frameworks that ensure AI is used responsibly and equitably. The interview explores how public-private partnerships and investment in digital infrastructure can help bridge the gap, and who should define the rules to ensure that AI serves the needs of developing nations rather than exacerbating inequalities.