Google, World Bank join hands to build AI-powered digital infrastructure

Google and the World Bank Group have announced a collaboration to “accelerate digital transformation” in emerging markets, in a blog post on Thursday.

The World Bank, an international body responsible for providing financial aid to low- and middle-income countries, will utilise Google Cloud’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including its Gemini models.

The collaboration focuses on deploying Open Network Stacks, which act like digital infrastructure to help citizens access vital services and build interoperable digital networks across key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and skilling, Google said.


These AI-driven services will be accessible to citizens in more than 40 languages.

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the company, is also funding a new nonprofit, Networks for Humanity (NFH), to develop universal digital infrastructure. NFH will work on Beckn open networks and Finternet asset tokenisation, and set up regional innovation labs to pilot social impact applications.

Beckn connects multiple digital platforms, while Finternet tokenisation turns assets into digital tokens for easier management, thus providing citizens and governments with inclusive, AI-powered services and financial tools through a unified digital ecosystem.

Also Read: Google is an AI-first company, we also want to be AI-first philanthropy: Google.org's Annie Lewin

Last year, Google pledged $26.98 million (€25 million) to boost AI literacy across Europe, funding social enterprises and nonprofits to expand training access. The initiative also included “growth academies” for AI-driven startups and free online courses in 18 languages.

Largest AI hub outside US

Google will invest $15 billion over the next five years to set up a gigawatt-scale data centre in Visakhapatnam and its largest AI hub outside the US. This is its biggest overseas investment.

The hub, which is set to house tensor processing units (TPUs), Google’s proprietary AI processing technology, and data storage capabilities for sovereign AI requirements, will benefit not only Google, but also Indian organisations and entrepreneurs, Google Cloud chief executive Thomas Kurian said.