Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Georgieva said IMF research shows AI has the potential to accelerate global growth by 0.8%, faster than the pace seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“Faster economic growth is fantastic for creating more opportunities and more jobs,” she said, adding that India could harness AI to achieve its target of a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047.
At the same time, Georgieva cautioned that AI poses significant risks for employment. Globally, she said, about 40% of jobs could be affected by AI, with the figure rising to 60% in advanced economies. Entry-level and routine jobs are particularly vulnerable, she noted, while mid-level workers may see stagnant pay and shrinking opportunities.
The IMF chief highlighted three areas countries must focus on: revamping education to emphasize learning how to learn, supporting workers in rapidly changing labor markets through social protections, and creating enabling environments where AI can deliver productivity gains.Georgieva also pointed to research in the United States showing that AI-created jobs can generate additional employment: “One job with AI creates 1.3 jobs in total employment,” she said. Yet, she warned, the distribution of benefits is uneven, and policymakers must pay attention to prevent societal backlash.
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India, she noted, is well-positioned due to its youthful, innovative population and strong public digital infrastructure, which has lowered barriers to entrepreneurship and adoption of new technologies.