IMF Says AI Boom Is Supporting 3% Global Growth, Asia Set to Benefit
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says rising investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure is helping sustain global economic growth at around 3%, while Asian economies stand to gain from increasing demand for AI hardware and technology.
Artificial intelligence (AI) investment is helping support global economic growth at around 3%, despite pressure from an energy supply shock, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday.
Speaking at the opening of the IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, Georgieva said spending on AI infrastructure was creating fresh demand and encouraging business investment. Several Asian economies could benefit from the growing market for AI hardware and related technology.
According to Georgieva, advanced Asian economies could receive a growth boost of 0.5 to 1 percentage point. Emerging Asian economies could see an increase of 0.2 to 0.8 percentage point. Thailand is among the countries positioned to benefit.
The IMF had projected global growth of 3% for 2026 in July. It is scheduled to release an updated economic outlook on Tuesday.
However, Georgieva warned that AI could reshape employment, education and government revenues. The IMF estimates that the technology could augment, downgrade or eliminate 40% of jobs over time. She also noted that routine roles were shrinking as demand grew in areas such as construction and data centres.
World Bank President Ajay Banga highlighted AI’s potential to improve productivity in farming, healthcare and education. Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, meanwhile, warned that AI could reduce entry-level job opportunities and widen the gap between advanced and developing economies.
Both stressed the importance of using AI to support productivity while creating employment opportunities.
