In today's rapidly evolving global economy, human capital—our collective knowledge, skills, and health—remains the foundation of economic growth. But in the digital age, there is a new pillar of prosperity: our ability to access and effectively engage with digital technologies. Building and utilizing human capital and embracing digital innovation are essential partners for fostering economic growth and creating jobs.

The World Bank’s new policy note, From Promise to Productivity: Making Digital Work for People and Jobs, discusses how technology can benefit people, offering strategies to prioritize individuals and employment, and outlining concrete steps governments can take to maximize this impact.

Digital technology can transform human capital

When we prioritize people, technology can be a powerful tool for solving major development challenges, improving access to vital services for everyone. Yet, for these digital tools to truly make an impact, people need the skills to design, use, and even adapt them. This means that enhancing human capital today requires embracing the ability to navigate the digital world at work and in daily life.

Around the world, we are seeing inspiring examples of tech improving lives:

• Health care: Digital solutions have helped triage patients and support diagnosis. For example, in Kenya, Penda Health has used an AI consult service to improve the care that doctors provide to patients.
• Education: In Lima, Peru, Copilot is helping teachers create customized lesson plans to meet student needs. In Nigeria, chatbots have helped high school students get better in English in such 6 weeks – a level of improvement that usually took a whole school year to do.
• Financial inclusion:  In Pakistan, the World Bank with the help of AI, developed algorithms to improve the management of housing finance loans for families in the informal sector.

But the digital divide is still real. In many communities, especially among vulnerable populations, digital tools remain out of reach, devices are expensive, and Internet connections are unaffordable and not always reliable. Even where there is digital access, digital initiatives are often siloed to individual sectors like health or education ministries—locking away information that could be used for the greater good of individuals or the public.

Moreover, there is a pressing need for more evidence on which technologies work best in specific contexts and how to effectively manage the associated risks. This uncertainty, amidst countless other proven development solutions vying for funding, makes it difficult to prioritize technology, despite its immense potential to accelerate development.

What can governments do? Four priorities for people-first development

Despite these gaps, there are actions governments can take to lay the groundwork to ensure data and technology are used to benefit people. The policy note outlines four key investment areas for building a truly digitally enabled, people-centered future:

1. Expand digital access and skills. Invest in robust connectivity, affordable devices, reliable electricity, and widespread digital literacy programs. These are the foundational elements that unlock opportunities and fuel economic growth.
2. Build integrated digital infrastructure. Invest in robust connectivity, affordable devices, reliable electricity, and widespread digital literacy programs. These are the foundational elements that unlock opportunities and fuel economic growth.
3. Forge strong public-private partnerships. Break down silos by connecting services across different sectors. Addressing technology challenges requires seamless collaboration across all ministries. For example, the World Bank is supporting Nigeria through the HOPE program, which helps build digital platforms for sharing health data, improving accountability, and developing crucial digital skills.
4. Protect the vulnerable groups. Foster collaboration to boost investment, drive innovation, and create jobs. This requires clear roles, sensible regulations, and shared values to ensure mutual benefit. In Indonesia, World Bank support for their digital identity system, InaPas, will enable greater private sector and digital financial services engagement.

Implement strong digital governance, provide coordinated support, and build inclusive systems that effectively manage risks without stifling innovation. This ensures that the benefits of technology reach everyone, especially those most in need.

The bottom line: People must come first

Technology alone won’t deliver development. To realize its full potential, we need to prioritize people above all else. It means making strategic investments in health, education, protection, and digital skills so people can afford to engage with and benefit from innovation and be protected against harm. For policymakers, aligning human capital and digital strategies is essential to drive inclusive growth and long-term development impact. 

What do you think are the most critical steps governments need to take to ensure technology truly serves all people?