Ecuador can develop AI for its benefit

Ecuador may not be poised to develop its own competitor to ChatGPT, but it can still strategically engage with the artificial intelligence revolution. A more realistic approach, outlined in the World Bank's 2026 World Development Report, "The Promise of Artificial Intelligence," suggests that developing economies, including Ecuador, could significantly benefit from AI.

The report highlights a surprising finding: countries in the Global South, like Ecuador, might stand to gain more and risk less in the AI landscape compared to high-income nations. The World Bank estimates that only about 4.5% of jobs in low- and middle-income economies are exposed to generative AI automation, contrasting with 14.2% in high-income countries. Conversely, AI could boost productivity in 16.2% of jobs in developing economies, a figure close to the 18.7% in high-income nations.

This data points to a key opportunity: the development of small-scale AI. Instead of aiming to build massive AI models, the focus should be on creating relatively simple algorithms designed to solve specific problems. For instance, an AI could be developed to detect skin lesions from a smartphone photograph, flagging potential issues that require medical attention.

Developing and deploying these small-scale AI models is far more accessible. They can run on standard computers or mobile devices, requiring limited data and significantly lower costs, potentially tens of thousands of dollars or even less, compared to the tens of millions needed for large language models like ChatGPT. The World Bank recommends leveraging these focused AI applications to tackle unique challenges faced by developing nations, issues often overlooked by the generative AI market, which primarily targets the Global North.

In Ecuador, specialized AI systems could be developed to address pressing national issues. This strategic focus on tailored, small-scale AI offers a pragmatic and achievable pathway for the country to harness the power of artificial intelligence for its own benefit.