Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development: A Systematic Review of Patterns and Pathways
Sin‐Yu Ho, Fiyinfoluwa Giwa · Journal of the Knowledge Economy · 3 Jul 2026
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Where this sits in the debate
- Will AI actually boost productivity and growth? · its finding: it depends (why studies differ)
- Will AI destroy more jobs than it creates? · its finding: it depends (why studies differ)
- Will AI widen inequality? · its finding: it depends (why studies differ)
Direction of the finding as read from the abstract by an AI model (AI-written).
Key takeaway AI-written
A systematic review of 194 peer-reviewed articles from 2011-2025 on AI and economic development, covering labor markets, growth, income distribution, productivity, trade, innovation and poverty. It finds AI can raise productivity and growth but with uneven, context-dependent effects including job displacement and wider inequality, and notes the literature is fragmented.
Abstract
Abstract This study explores the relationship between artificial intelligence and economic development through a systematic review of 194 peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2025. The analysis synthesizes evidence across multiple dimensions identified in the literature, including labour markets, economic growth, income distribution, productivity, trade, innovation, environmental sustainability, and poverty. The study also examines how these dimensions are interconnected within the broader framework of sustainable development. The findings suggest that AI functions as a general-purpose technology capable of enhancing productivity, fostering innovation, and supporting economic growth. However, its effects are often uneven and highly context-dependent, giving rise to potential trade-offs such as job displacement, widening inequality, and environmental challenges. Furthermore, the review reveals that the existing literature remains fragmented, with limited integration across these development dimensions. By providing a comprehensive and structured synthesis, this study highlights the interconnected pathways through which AI influences economic development and identifies important gaps that warrant further research.
About this publication
Academic journal. Published in an academic journal — typically peer-reviewed before publication, though indexing alone doesn't guarantee review depth.
- Published
- 2026 (4 months ago)
- Citations
- 0 (OpenAlex)
0 citations recorded by OpenAlex — too few 2026 papers in this collection for a fair comparison.
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