International development of global poverty, fostering sustainable growth, and improving living standards have always been formidable. Many problems in development projects range from inefficient resource allocation to inequality at the systemic level. One major obstacle that has hindered informed decision-making in international development is the inability to receive timely, accurate data on a subject. Artificial Intelligence is a revolutionary opportunity to transcend these barriers with more innovative, equitable, and efficient solutions. It could serve significant areas such as agriculture, health care, education, and resource management to make international development strategies more targeted and effective. However, ethical and practical challenges in implementing AI must be considered to enable this technology to serve the interests of the greater good and not perpetuate existing inequalities.

One of the most pernicious challenges faced in international development today relates to food insecurity- the unfortunate plight affecting over 800 million people of the world's population, according to the FAO. Unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change have significantly disrupted sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia agricultural productivity. Traditional farming methods seldom adapt to these. Hence, the yields are inferior, and hunger is further increased. AI-powered tools, including predictive analytics and precision farming technologies, might be the game-changers agriculture will ever see. For example, algorithms developed by IBM's Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture analyze real-time weather, soil conditions, and crop health data that help farmers optimize planting schedules and irrigation systems. IBM. A Kenyan AI-driven project by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics has helped smallholder farmers increase yields as high as 30%, based on data-driven recommendations on crop management. Scaling such tools globally would significantly dent hunger and build resilience against climate shocks.

Beyond agriculture, infrastructure and workforce capacity within the healthcare sector have reached a critical level in many developing countries. The WHO estimates an overall shortage of 18 million health workers worldwide, most profound in low-income countries. AI can help alleviate the crisis by enhancing the capacity of the currently available healthcare system. Google Health's AI algorithms have proved to be very accurate in diabetic retinopathy diagnosis using ocular scans; the disease can lead to untreated blindness. In Rwanda, for example,  a startup called Babylon Health uses artificial intelligence-driven chatbots that offer primary medical advice and triage, reducing the pressure on overworked healthcare professionals. The World Bank estimates that AI could also help predict and better manage epidemics. During COVID-19, various AI models have contributed to tracking the virus's spread, predicting hotspots, and improving resource allocation, hence showing great potential in managing public health emergencies. On the other hand, such wide diffusion goes hand in hand with various concerns related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and unequal access. These challenges should, therefore, be tackled through regulatory frameworks and capacity-building efforts.

Another sector in which AI may become an essential contributor to sustainable development is education. Most developing countries face severe shortages of qualified teachers and learning materials, often resulting in meager literacy rates and low chances of social mobility. For instance, AI-powered personalized learning tools, like Khan Academy and Byju's, have already recorded remarkable milestones in personalizing learning materials to suit the learning needs of individual students. More so, in regions highly characterized by linguistic diversities, AI tools could translate learning materials into local languages, consequently breaking the most frequent language barriers to learning. It has, for example, teamed up with Microsoft to develop applications of AI that support literacy in Indigenous languages to ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind. UNESCO added that by studying attendance and performance records, AI can identify children who may eventually drop out of school so early interventions can be made by teachers and administrators. These are promising times, yet the digital divide remains the big nemesis. For instance, only 28% of people from sub-Saharan Africa can access the internet, which limits AI-based educational solutions. Closing this gap will require massive investments in digital infrastructure and inter-partner collaboration between governments, private businesses, and international organizations.

AI is also applied in international development to improve environmental conservation, which is an essential function of sustainable growth. The major threats to ecosystems involve deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution in most developing parts of the world, where natural resources are being exploited for short-term economic gains. AI-driven tools can monitor changes to the environment in real-time and provide actionable insights. A good example is how Global Forest Watch uses satellite imagery combined with AI in tracking deforestation activities, and it has helped governments and nongovernmental organizations intervene before irreversible damage occurs. AI models of the European Space Agency have been used to monitor illegal fishing activities in the Pacific Ocean and protect marine biodiversity, supporting sustainable fisheries. Such applications provide opportunities for natural resource conservation and sustainable livelihoods within the affected communities.

In fact, despite its potential for transformation, integration into international development is not without risk. Most worrying, however, is the possibility of algorithmic bias, reinforcing existing inequalities. For example, AI systems using prejudiced data make unfair allocations of resources or deny life-saving services to marginalized groups.  According to the Brookings Institution, this could be true in developing countries lacking data protection laws. This would include personal health records or financial data. Several challenges, as identified, need multistakeholder approaches for their resolution. It will, therefore, be crucial in setting ethical guidelines on AI applications and ensuring that transparency remains at the heart of such endeavors. Also, efforts like the UNESCO AI Ethics Recommendation create global standards that ensure fair, accountable, and inclusive use of AI. (UNESCO).

The path to allowing AI to reach its complete potential for international development requires addressing the structural barriers to equal technology access. This concerns investments in digital infrastructure, AI literacy for local populations, and public-private partnerships that can make access to and the affordability of AI tools more widely available. In turn, capacity-building programs would likely empower developing countries to pursue AI solutions genuinely and sustainably; this involves training programs for local engineers and policymakers. Also, the active involvement of local communities in designing and implementing AI projects ensures that these technologies meet the unique needs and priorities of the regional level.

AI can be a real game-changer in international development by acting on critical bottlenecks within agriculture, health, education, and environmental conservation. Yet, such promises will be realized only with ethical innovation, inclusiveness, and global collaboration. By prioritizing investment in infrastructure, capacity building, and regulatory frameworks, the international community can ensure that AI makes life more equitable and sustainable for all.

Sources

Andersen, Lindsey. “Artificial Intelligence in International Development: Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls.” Journal of Public and International Affairs, 20 May 2019, jpia.princeton.edu/news/artificial-intelligence-international-development-avoiding-ethical-pitfalls.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ETHICS GUIDE. “DevelopmentAid.” DevelopmentAid, 22 Mar. 2023, www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/158745/how-ai-can-impact-developing-countries.

Georgieva, Kristalina. “AI Will Transform the Global Economy. Let’s Make Sure It Benefits Humanity.” International Monetary Fund, 2024, www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity.

How AI Is Working to End Poverty – Quantilus Innovation. quantilus.com/article/ai-tech-to-end-poverty/.

“How Will AI Reshape International Development? - En.” D4dhub.eu, 2024, d4dhub.eu/events/how-will-ai-reshape-international-development. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Melkamu, Moti. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES in INDUSTRIES: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES PROSPECTIVE. Vol. 02, no. 01, 2025, pp. 175–180, www.aspur.rs/jai/archive/v2/n1/4.pdf, https://doi.org/10.61552/JAI.2025.01.004. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Muldoon, James, et al. “The Poverty of Ethical AI: Impact Sourcing and AI Supply Chains.” AI & SOCIETY, 20 Dec. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01824-9.

Okolo, Chinasa. “AI in the Global South: Opportunities and Challenges towards More Inclusive Governance.” Brookings, 1 Nov. 2023, www.brookings.edu/articles/ai-in-the-global-south-opportunities-and-challenges-towards-more-inclusive-governance/.

“Tipping the Scales: AI’s Dual Impact on Developing Nations.” World Bank Blogs, blogs.worldbank.org/en/digital-development/tipping-the-scales--ai-s-dual-impact-on-developing-nations.