Will AI impact the emerging world

Most of us reading this have probably already interacted with some form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from customer service chat boxes to saying “Alexa to play the best of Michael Bublé”. There are several levels of AI, starting with reactive which uses data and algorithms to provide pre-determined solutions as in the case of virtual agents. AI then evolves to greater complexities where the machines replicate human cognitive skills, learning off experiences to solve more complex issues and perhaps even developing a social consciousness as in the movies, but hopefully with less dire consequences than often portrayed.

So how does the advent of AI impact the emerging world? There are great benefits of course, but as always progress comes with its own challenges. One of the key benefits is in infrastructure. Infra is an economic and employment multiplier, which usually requires capex, overcoming red tape and having localized operational costs. However, the developments in AI coupled with the increased adoption of smart phones will give many countries the opportunity to develop these sectors at low cost by technological leapfrogging.

One key sector is providing financial facilities for the unbanked. Financial inclusiveness allows people to benefit from efficiencies in transactions, payments, to save, provide credit for micro-businesses to grow and even insurance. In 2012, M-Shwari was launched, providing banking and credit facilities in Kenya through automated credit scoring and machine learning to predict the probability of defaults from potential borrowers. Within 5 years, it had distributed USD 1 billion in loans and over 20 million customers. Over 50% of M-Shwari customers do not have another bank account, but are now included in the financial system.

AI has also been adopted in several ways in agriculture, which play a large part in developing economies. In Thailand for instance, AI has been used to identify trespassers in farms sending out alerts to ensure that the risks of disease transfer are minimized. Other types of Agri-tech such as PlantVillage Nuru, highlight crop degradation through pattern recognition and others can analyze soil use, farmer’s behavior and water quality. Examples of where Agri-tech is being used can be found range from South America to Africa to Asia, enhancing productivity and farmers’ incomes and productivity.

Education is another key sector that can be unlocked by AI. The development of minds allows countries to realize their most import form of capital – that of human capital. An evolved AI based education would provide a higher standard, be more accessible and be more uniform. It can help in ways to standardize teaching methods, reducing the degree of subjectiveness of the teacher and allowing them to focus more on providing insights and problem-solving skills. It may also be able to provide more of a tailored experience to each student which is not possible for a single teacher who is handling multiple students and classes. While AI in education is still in the early stages, the potential to upskill a nations youth and working population is certainly one of the most exciting promises. Also, advances in health-tech can also assist in overcoming the shortage and accessibility of doctors through diagnosis and medical advice tech.

Thus, the ways that AI can pull a country upwards are multi-fold from removing layers red-tape and corruption, which are major hindrances to businesses and economic growth. However, it is not without its challenges and there needs to be checks and measures.

AI unchecked may make redundant a major advantage of the developing world which is its low labor costs. Automation may reduce the demand of low skilled workers and in some cases, multi-nationals may rather on-shore their manufacturing facilities. Foxconn, the company that manufactures phones for Apple and Samsung replaced 60,000 of its workers with robots in 2016 and is looking to continue to do so. Deloittes in partnership with Oxford University, indicate within the next 20 years, 35% of the world’s jobs are at risk.

This displacement is not limited to manufacturing but will also have an impact on the service industries as chatbots start replacing call center agents. Countries like India and the Philippines which have developed economic jewels in offshoring and BPO centers will have to reskill their workers or face pain as jobs are replaced by machines.

Also tech has a polarizing effect and if unchecked can have a deeper impact not only on developing nations but also low skilled workers in first world countries. While unlikely to happen, there needs to be greater corporate governance and oversight on what can be developed to ensure that all of society benefits equally. For instance, in the case of social media, what started off as a fun way to keep in touch with friends has now created addicts, impacted mental health and influenced politics and people.

But don’t let the above thoughts dismay you and encourage you to start burning 5G towers. The human race has continued to benefit from progress and there is much to be hopeful for as AI helps lift those in emerging economies through financial, healthcare, education inclusion and much more.

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