IMF chief says AI could be source of divergence within countries and across countries
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday that artificial intelligence (AI) could boost productivity, but it could also be a source of divergence within countries and across countries.
Noting that the AI investment boom is bringing "incredible optimism," Georgieva told a press briefing during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF that AI will contribute to global growth somewhere between 0.1 percent and 0.8 percent, which is "significant."
In its latest World Economic Outlook released Tuesday, the IMF slightly raised its global economic growth projection for 2025 to 3.2 percent, while pointing out that the tariff shock is further dimming growth prospects. Global growth is projected to fall to 3.1 percent in 2026.
"We are stuck in this around 3 percent growth right now. And if we were to extract that kind of boost of growth (from AI), that would be very significant for the world," said Georgieva.
She noted that the IMF has developed the AI preparedness index, which ranks countries on four criteria: digital infrastructure, labor market skills, innovation, and how it penetrates.
The IMF chief also highlighted "a very big distribution from the best to the laggers" in terms of AI adoption.
"So, the risk we see is that we may end up in a world in which there is an increase in productivity, but it is also a source of divergence within countries and across countries," Georgieva said, adding that this is why preparedness really matters.
At the press conference, the IMF managing director unveiled the Global Policy Agenda, which emphasized three overarching priorities -- unlock private sector growth, rebuild fiscal space and reduce debt, and reduce global imbalances.
"Uncertainty is here to stay, and change is unstoppable, but with change comes opportunity," she stressed. ■
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva presents her Global Policy Agenda at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (R) speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva presents her Global Policy Agenda at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva presents her Global Policy Agenda at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (R) speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (R) speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (R) takes questions at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (R) speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at the managing director's briefing on the Global Policy Agenda in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
