The World Economic Forum (WEF) has unveiled its “Blueprint for Intelligent Economies,” a comprehensive framework aimed at fostering artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness through regional collaboration. Released in January 2025 in partnership with KPMG, the white paper addresses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution while tackling inequalities in access to AI technologies globally.
The blueprint is structured into three interconnected layers: building foundational infrastructure, nurturing intelligent economies, and placing people at the center of AI-driven growth. It identifies nine strategic objectives, with a spotlight on three critical areas: sustainable AI infrastructure, diverse and high-quality datasets, and ethical guardrails.
A major focus of the blueprint is the development of scalable, secure, and environmentally sustainable AI systems. High energy consumption and the environmental footprint of AI are highlighted as significant challenges. The report underscores the importance of public-private partnerships, regional AI clusters, and trade corridors to establish resilient supply chains and foster innovation. For example, a World Bank initiative aims to add 15 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity to support AI-related infrastructure.
The report emphasizes the pivotal role of diverse datasets in ensuring AI systems reflect global populations. It calls for open data-sharing platforms, synthetic data solutions, and inclusive data equity frameworks. Case studies, such as Japan’s Fugaku LLM, demonstrate the value of tailoring datasets to local contexts while advancing AI innovation.
To ensure responsible AI development, the blueprint advocates for ethical standards and robust safety measures. The WEF points to initiatives like the EU AI Act and UNESCO’s AI ethics observatory as models for aligning AI practices with societal values. It also highlights the need for regional cooperation to combat bias and secure AI systems against emerging risks.
The report concludes with a call for multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to advance inclusive AI ecosystems. Future efforts will focus on implementing the blueprint through regional pilot projects.
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