Regional Consultation in Asia

The Institute for Economic Development is organizing an East Asia regional consultation for the World Development Report 2026, which will focus on understanding artificial intelligence (AI) through the lens of the East Asia region. The consultation will examine how AI is shaping development trajectories, exploring how policy, regulation, and governance are influencing its adoption and impact.

Participants will discuss how AI is reshaping labor markets, productivity, and innovation, and will assess the risks of unequal adoption across countries and sectors. The event will also highlight regional strengths in AI research and industry, while considering how countries with diverse capabilities—from advanced economies to emerging ones—are leveraging AI to accelerate their development agendas. 

Insights from this consultation will directly inform the framing and recommendations of the World Development Report 2026.