As we stand on the brink of another promised “revolution,” the question “Will AI, data and technology save us?” carries profound implications for international development. This question goes beyond the capability of new technologies to address the world’s most pressing challenges, requiring us to look back at lessons from previous industrial revolutions. Will this time be different? Instead of widening the already vast gulf between the rich and poor, amplifying disinformation, or facilitating new forms of gender-based violence, can we harness the AI revolution to work for everyone? This new era presents no easy answers, but it remains a cause for both optimism and caution.

The cause for optimism is great. AI’s capacity to process and analyze vast amounts of data offers unprecedented opportunities to improve decision-making and resource allocation in international development. AI can help predict disease outbreaks and natural disasters in real-time, enabling quicker and more effective responses. In agriculture, AI can optimize crop yields, improve soil management, and reduce waste through precision farming techniques. Machine learning algorithms can analyze climate patterns and predict weather changes, such as floods, which could prove instrumental in achieving food security and reducing inequalities in regions vulnerable to climate change, such as West Africa. Throughout 2023 and 2024, we are leveraging support from WFP’s Innovation Accelerator, the Belmont Forum, and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation to implement OPAL for Humanitarian Action in Senegal to achieve precisely this.