Reflecting the Past, Shaping the Future: Making AI Work for International Development Digital Development U.S. Agency for International Development

We are in the midst of an unprecedented surge of interest in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. These tools, which allow computers to make data-derived predictions and automate decisions, have become part of daily life for billions of people. Ubiquitous digital services such as interactive maps, tailored advertisements, and voice-activated personal assistants are likely only the beginning. Some AI advocates even claim that AI's impact will be as profound as "electricity or fire" that it will revolutionize nearly every field of human activity. This enthusiasm has reached international development as well.