International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva used remarks at WGS in Dubai to frame artificial intelligence as a major potential growth and diversification driver, while warning it could also disrupt labour markets and widen divergences between countries depending on their readiness. In the speech, the IMF cited estimates that AI could raise global productivity growth by up to 0.8 percentage points per year and boost non-oil GDP in Gulf countries by up to 2.8 percent, alongside a Microsoft study putting AI usage among the UAE’s working-age population at 64 percent. It also flagged labour market disruption, with 40 percent of jobs globally and 60 percent in advanced economies expected to be impacted, and pointed to evidence that about one in 10 job postings in advanced economies now requires at least one new skill, with middle-skilled jobs likely to be squeezed. Georgieva set out three policy priorities: macro policies that support AI investment and innovation, including fiscal measures to strengthen tax systems and fund research and reskilling while avoiding tax incentives that favour automation over people; “guardrails” to regulate AI so it is safe, fair and trustworthy without stifling innovation, with an emphasis on cross-country coordination; and cooperation and partnerships to achieve scale, including data sharing and knowledge transfer among governments, researchers and developers.
International Monetary Fund 2026-02-03
International Monetary Fund projects AI could lift global productivity by up to 0.8 percentage points a year and urges coordinated guardrails and reskilling
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted artificial intelligence as a key growth driver at WGS in Dubai, while cautioning about potential labour market disruptions and divergences between countries. She emphasized policy priorities including macroeconomic support for AI investment, regulatory "guardrails," and international cooperation for data sharing and innovation.