New Delhi, Aug 10: Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities across India, helping farmers make smarter decisions, strengthening healthcare services and expanding access to vital information, according to the World Bank’s World Development Report 2026.

The report highlights India as a leading example of how developing economies can use practical and affordable AI solutions to address everyday challenges and improve productivity.

In Telangana, an AI-based weather forecasting system is helping small farmers respond to specific weather risks and make more informed decisions. The World Bank said some farmers increased their agricultural spending by as much as one-third after receiving AI-supported forecasts, while others recorded net savings of up to $560 per farmer.

The experience demonstrates the potential of AI to put timely and useful information directly in the hands of farmers, helping them make better decisions about agricultural activities and manage weather-related risks.

AI is also making a growing contribution to India’s healthcare sector. The technology is being used to support tuberculosis screening, helping healthcare systems identify potential cases and expand the reach of screening services.

In agriculture, AI-powered platforms are also responding to millions of farmer queries, giving people access to information and guidance quickly and at scale.

The World Bank said developing economies could have significant opportunities to benefit from AI. Fewer than one in 10 jobs in developing economies are susceptible to AI automation, while around 16.2 per cent of jobs could be enhanced by AI rather than replaced.

For India, this points to an opportunity to use AI not simply as a technology for automation, but as a tool that can complement workers, improve productivity and create new avenues for economic participation.

The growing adoption of AI is also expected to encourage demand for new digital skills and create opportunities in areas linked to technology, data, healthcare, agriculture and other emerging sectors.

The World Bank’s findings underline India’s potential to build on its expanding digital ecosystem and use AI to deliver solutions that are affordable, accessible and relevant to people’s everyday needs.

From helping farmers protect their livelihoods to supporting healthcare workers and connecting citizens with information, AI is increasingly becoming a practical tool for improving lives and expanding opportunities across India.