Investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure is helping sustain global economic growth at around 3%, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on October 12, 2026. Speaking at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, she described how spending on AI infrastructure is increasing demand and investment across the global economy, according to Reuters.
Georgieva said the investment boom could raise growth in advanced Asian economies by between half a percentage point and one percentage point. For emerging Asian economies, the estimated boost was between 0.2 and 0.8 percentage point. The IMF had forecast global growth of 3% for 2026 in July and planned to release an updated outlook on Tuesday. Georgieva also said the IMF estimates that AI could augment, downgrade or eliminate 40% of jobs over time.
The economic effects extend beyond software companies. Asian economies supplying hardware for AI infrastructure may benefit from the investment, while changes in employment could affect workers, education systems and government tax revenues. For Indian students and job seekers, the findings highlight why AI literacy and an understanding of technology-related economic changes are increasingly relevant. However, the figures describe estimates and potential effects, not guaranteed outcomes for every country or occupation.
World Bank President Ajay Banga discussed using smaller AI systems to improve productivity for farmers, healthcare services and educators in emerging markets. Reuters reported that the IMF was due to publish an updated global economic outlook the following day, providing a further assessment of economic conditions.