Global economic growth, the future of jobs and the growing influence of artificial intelligence have taken centre stage as world leaders and economic policymakers converge on Bangkok, Thailand, for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says investment in artificial intelligence is helping sustain global economic growth at around three per cent, even as energy supply disruptions put pressure on the world economy.
The global economy, artificial intelligence and the future of employment dominated discussions as the 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings opened in Bangkok, Thailand.
Running from October 12 to 18, the meetings have brought together finance ministers, central bank governors, business leaders and development experts to examine the challenges confronting the global economy and explore solutions for sustainable and inclusive growth.
At the opening discussions, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence investment in supporting global economic activity.
According to Georgieva, investment in AI infrastructure is helping keep global growth at approximately three per cent, despite pressures from energy supply disruptions.
But beyond its economic benefits, the IMF chief warned that artificial intelligence could significantly reshape employment, education, economic productivity and government revenue.
The IMF estimates that AI could affect about 40 percent of jobs globally over time, as businesses and governments increasingly adopt the technology.
For the World Bank, the priority is ensuring that developing economies can benefit from these technological advances.
World Bank President, Ajay Banga says smaller-scale AI applications could deliver significant productivity gains in critical sectors, including agriculture, healthcare and education.
Singapore’s President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, also cautioned against the possibility of artificial intelligence widening the economic gap between advanced and developing countries.
He raised concerns about declining demand for entry-level jobs, particularly opportunities available to young graduates entering the workforce.
These concerns are especially relevant for developing economies, where governments must balance technological advancement with job creation, skills development and economic inclusion.
For African countries, including Nigeria, the discussions raise important questions about how to harness emerging technologies to improve productivity, strengthen public services and create sustainable employment opportunities.
The challenge is not only to adopt artificial intelligence, but also to invest in the infrastructure, education and workforce training required to make its benefits accessible to more people.
Beyond technology, the annual meetings will examine the global economic outlook, financial stability, poverty reduction, investment and development financing.
The outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape policy conversations among governments and international financial institutions in the months ahead.
As the meetings continue in Bangkok, the central question remains whether the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and global investment can translate into better jobs, stronger economies and improved living standards, particularly for developing countries.