The 2026 Annual Meetings bring global leaders together in Bangkok, October 12–18, to discuss jobs, investment, growth, and practical solutions for development.
- ABOUT THE EVENT
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GO TO SPEAKERS | ONLINE Q&A | POLL
Artificial intelligence is already changing how farmers grow food, businesses operate, and governments deliver services. For developing countries, the biggest opportunities may not come from frontier models but from Small AI: practical, affordable applications designed for local languages, infrastructure, and budgets. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will join leaders, innovators, and governments to explore how countries can move from promising pilots to widespread impact and harness AI not just as a technological innovation, but as a tool for job creation.
Where can I find the program?
The program will be posted on this page closer to the event date.
Do I need to register?
No. All sessions on this page are public and can be watched without registering.
What if I miss a session?
Recordings will be available on this page after each session ends. If you sign up for email reminders, you’ll also receive a follow-up with links to the replay and newly added resources.
Will transcripts be available?
A full transcript of each session will be posted on this page within 48 hours after it ends.
Speakers
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Ajay Banga
President, World Bank Group
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Kristalina Georgieva
Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
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Tiffany Xingyu Wang
Author of the national bestseller, The Trust Code
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Vilas Dhar
President, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
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Shalina Wadhwani
Executive Vice President at the Wadhwani Family Office and Wadhwani Impact Trust
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Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Thailand
Ask Our Experts
Take The Poll
Where can Small AI have the greatest impact on jobs in developing countries?
Learning Resources
NEWS & STORIES
- Story: After Cyclone Gezani: Madagascar’s Resilient Response to Restoring Energy and Connectivity in Public Higher Education
- Story: Broadband Access Transforms Rural Life Across the Kyrgyz Republic
- Story: Small AI Transforms Farming in India
EVENTS & MULTIMEDIA
- Podcast: Why Digital Transformation Matters- REPLAY | Making AI Work for All — You Ask, We Answer
- REPLAY | Building AI Foundations—From Farms to Future Economies
RESEARCH & TOOLS
- Report: World Development Report
- Report: Digital Progress and Trends Report
- Toolkit: Accelerating Artificial Intelligence Investment in Emerging Markets
TOPIC
Annual Meetings 2026
FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES
OTHER RESOURCES
- World Bank website
- IMF website
SOCIAL MEDIA
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