Artificial Intelligence in the Global South: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Pathways

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming societies, industries, and governments around the world. However, the discourse around AI development, regulation, and ethics has largely been dominated by high-income nations, leaving the Global South underrepresented in both technological leadership and policy direction. This monograph critically examines the state of AI development in the Global South - a region comprising Asia, Africa, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East - with an emphasis on contextual challenges, unique opportunities, and the urgent need for inclusive policy frameworks.Through a review of literature, case studies, and policy analysis, this work explores how AI technologies are being adopted in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and public governance in developing countries. It investigates infrastructural gaps, data governance issues, human capital deficits, and the risks of algorithmic bias and digital colonialism. At the same time, the monograph highlights local innovation ecosystems, frugal AI solutions, and cross-border collaborations that have the potential to reshape global AI narratives from the margins.