Issue Brief Chinese Critiques of Large Language Models Finding the Path to General Artificial Intelligence Achieving general artificial intelligence or GAI—defined as AI that replicates or exceeds most human cognitive skills across a wide range of tasks, such as image/video understanding, continual learning, planning, reasoning, skill transfer, and creativity1—is a key strategic goal of intense research efforts both in China and the United States.2 There is vigorous debate in the international scientific co ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 11041 The Gendered Impact of Social Norms on Financial Access and Capital Misallocation Arti Grover Mariana Viollaz International Finance Corporation January 2025 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 11041 Abstract This paper provides evidence on the nature of financial constraints faced by women entrepreneurs, especially in contexts of stringent social norms. Using micr ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized BEYOND BORDERS Power Grid Interconnections and Regional Electricity Markets for the Sustainable Energy Transition REPORT Public Disclosure Authorized REPORT BEYOND BORDERS Power Grid Interconnections and Regional Electricitvy Markets for the Sustainable Energy Transition About ESMAP The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is a partnership between the World Bank and over 20 partners to help low- and middle- ...

Industry Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry, but it highlights India's significant economic potential and challenges [2][3][4] Core Viewpoints - India's economic growth is driven by its demographic dividend, urbanization, and infrastructure investments, positioning it as a potential global economic powerhouse [2][4][13] - The services sector is the main contributor to India's GDP growth, while the manufacturing sector faces structural challenges [10][50][51] - India's labor market is characterized by high informal employment, low female participation, and a skills mismatch, which hinder inclusive growth [35][43][44] - Infrastructure development is a key growth catalyst, with significant investments in transportation, energy, and urban infrastructure [30][31][32] Economic Foundations and Growth Catalysts - India's services sector accounts for roughly 50% of its gross value added (GVA), with industries like IT, financial services, and telecommunications driving growth [10][11] - Domestic consumption is a primary driver of India's economy, accounting for 60% of GDP, while exports play a smaller role at 22% of GDP [12] - India's demographic dividend, with a median age of 28 years and a large working-age population, is a key driver of future growth [14][15][16] - Urbanization is transforming India's economic landscape, with urban centers like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore becoming innovation hubs [21][22][23] - The expansion of India's middle class, expected to reach 60% of the population by 2047, is driving consumption across various sectors [26][27][28] Obstacles and Challenges - India's labor market faces structural issues, including high unemployment (8.4%), low female participation (33%), and a dominance of informal employment (88.8%) [35][37][42] - The manufacturing sector's share of GVA has declined to 12.8%, hindered by low R&D investment, regulatory complexity, and infrastructure deficits [51][55][56] - Regional disparities and social inequalities further complicate India's labor market challenges, limiting access to stable employment opportunities [47][48][49] - India's stagnant FDI inflows (0.8% of GDP in 2023) reflect limited integration into global value chains and regulatory inefficiencies [60][61] Strategic Recommendations for Businesses - Companies should engage in strategic workforce planning to address skills mismatches and capitalize on India's demographic dividend [72][73][74] - Adapting to local markets, including consumer preferences and regulatory environments, is crucial for success in India [75] - Operational excellence, including AI-driven transformation and continuous performance improvement, is essential for profitability in the Indian market [76] Conclusion - India has significant potential to become a global manufacturing hub, but it must address challenges related to land, labor, and law to sustain robust growth [65][66][67] - Policy reforms in land acquisition, labor laws, and bureaucratic efficiency are critical for India's industrial development [68][69][70]

VIEWPOINT 2025 W E N E E D T O TA L K ABOUT PFAS Turning a risk into an opportunity From ski wax to food wrappers, nonstick cookware, and semiconductors, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," have impacted the world since the 1940s due to their unique properties, such as water and oil repellency. These synthetic chemicals persist indefinitely in the environment, raising concerns about their ecological and health impacts. As regulatory scrutiny grows, understanding PFAS de ...

IMPLEMENTATION KNOW-HOW BRIEF Regulatory Sandboxes for Digital Health igital technology, applications, data, and information systems, as part of the ongoing transformation of health and health care can help ensure universal and equitable access to affordable, people-centered, and integrated quality care, contributing to the goal of reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Intelligent use of data and digital technologies can elevate patient experience, improve clinician and staff satisfaction, drive operati ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized EDUCATION WORKING PAPER No. 9 | JANUARY 2025 What's at Play? Unpacking the Relationship between Teaching and Learning Brian Stacy, Maryam Akmal, Halsey Rogers, Sergio Venegas Marin, Hersheena Rajaram, and Viyaleta Farysheuskaya Public Disclosure Authorized © 2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Email: AskEd@worldbank.org In ...

The note was originally written in Spanish and translated into English using the WBG-Translate 2.0 tool. Readability was improved using mAI WBG GPT. - 3 - AGO – 2024 Latin America and the Caribbean State of the Art of Social Registries in Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Latin America and the Caribbean State of the Art of Social Registries in Acknowledgments This technical note was prepared by Luis Eduardo Castro (Consultant) ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized COUNTRY PRIVATE SECTOR DIAGNOSTIC CREATING MARKETS IN SOMALIA Unlocking private sector-led growth at a critical juncture of So Unlocking private sector-led growth at a critical juncture of Somalia's development June 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized About IFC IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 co ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Economic, Trade, and Industry Implications of the Circular Economy Transition in Türkiye January 2025 © 2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved This work is a product of the staff of the World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions exp ...