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Home»GSDRC Publications»Enablers for the Effective Adoption of AI at the National and City Level

Enablers for the Effective Adoption of AI at the National and City Level

Helpdesk Report
  • Arol Dut,
  • William Avis
October 2025

Question

1 What are the key enablers for the effective adoption of AI at national and city level in low- and middle-income countries in the context of economic infrastructure and urban planning?

2 What are the governance frameworks that respond to our current understanding of the risks and opportunities for AI in infrastructure planning?

3 What roles do public and private sector actors play in enabling the adoption of AI in urban planning and economic infrastructure?

Summary

This rapid evidence review collates available evidence on key enablers for the effective adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at national and city level in low- and middle-income countries.

The review draws upon an expanding evidence base that includes academic and grey literature. The evidence base is evolving with an increasing range of countries and cities rapidly adopting AI to address complex challenges associated with national and subnational decision making, with cities at the heart of this transformation.

The evidence notes, however, that whilst cities can be home to innovation, they can also be challenging locations in which to effect change.

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Suggested citation

Dut, A & Avis, W. (2025). Enablers for the Effective Adoption of AI at the National and City Level. K4DD Rapid
Evidence Review 312. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. DOI: 10.19088/K4DD.2025.116

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