24 November 2024

Measuring The Implications Of AI On The Economy – Speech

Kristalina Georgieva

Opening Remarks at the 12th IMF Statistical Forum

Good morning, and welcome. Let me start by thanking Bert and the Statistics Department for organizing the 12th IMF Statistical Forum on ‘Measuring the Implications of AI on the Economy.’ You always choose a topic that is timely and important—and also fascinating!

It has been just two years since generative AI emerged from the lab and became a tool that anyone with internet access can use. We still feel the excitement of something new and world changing. At the same time, we are all concerned about potential harms.

AI has huge potential to boost growth and efficiency—call centers, for example, have reported productivity gains of 34 percent among new and lower-skilled workers. But AI could also disrupt labor and financial markets. And it could deepen inequality within and among countries, destabilizing societies at a time when many are already very polarized.

To make AI a force for good that boosts inclusive economic growth, we need concerted, coordinated actions by governments, the private sector, and civil society.

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