M4D Digital Future: The transformational role of AI in digital development

As part of the M4D Digital Future series, a new platform for elevating underexplored but urgent digital development issues and shaping the global agenda through focused, action-oriented dialogue; this session explores the transformational role of AI in digital development.

Despite its potential benefits, AI risks replicating or even exacerbating existing inequalities if key enablers such as access to quality and representative data, digital and AI-related skills, affordable compute, supportive policy frameworks and sustainable investment are not in place. Algorithmic fairness and sound data governance are critical to ensuring systems reflect diverse contexts and needs. In many settings, those left behind are the same groups already underserved by connectivity, including rural populations, women, persons with disabilities and low-income communities. To ensure that AI contributes to inclusion rather than exclusion, we must address the gaps and foster the right mix of capacity, collaboration and governance for equitable and responsible adoption. 

In this session, we explore together how to ensure that everyone can meaningfully participate in and benefit from the AI-enabled digital future.  

This convening is invitation-only, held under the Chatham House rules, bringing together leaders across the global development community to explore practical solutions and foster collaboration.