AI can lift growth by 0.8%, India's Viksit Bharat goal achievable: IMF MD

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said artificial intelligence can lift global growth by 0.8 per cent, and India's goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat or a developed nation is achievable. Speaking at a panel discussion at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Georgieva said a research by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests that AI has the potential to significantly accelerate global growth. "We did some research and here is the answer. Based on what we know, AI can lift up global growth by almost a percentage point. We say 0.8 per cent... It would mean that the world would grow faster than it did before the COVID pandemic," she said. While discussion with industry leaders in India on Friday, she spoke about the dynamism of the Indian economy, global forces shaping the future.

Insightful discussion with industry leaders in India. We spoke about the dynamism of the Indian economy, global forces shaping the future, opportunities from deepening capital markets and enhancing trade, and how India democratizing AI will not only help India but the world. pic.twitter.com/6KYCshM5no

— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) February 20, 2026

"This is the magnitude that we see for India, and it would mean that India's Viksit Bharat is achievable," Georgieva said. India has an aspiration of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047 and achieving a USD 30 trillion economy. At the same time, the IMF MD also cautioned that AI poses significant risks for the job market. "We calculated that this risk is very high. We actually see the impact of AI...like a tsunami. Globally, 40 per cent of jobs will be affected by AI...In emerging markets, 40 per cent, but in advanced economies, 60 per cent," she said.