World Bank urges developing countries to build "small AI" for local languages and low connectivity

The World Bank is urging developing countries to build "small AI" models, specialised systems trained on narrower datasets that can run on a mobile phone with low connectivity in local languages.

Chief knowledge officer Paschal Donohoe says AI could speed development in emerging economies if adapted to local needs. He cites Indian farmers in the AgriConnect scheme who need soil analysis in their own language.