What does knowledge mean in an age of AI, deepfakes, and disinformation? When information is everywhere, the real challenge is distinguishing insight from noise.

In this episode of the Development Podcast, host Toni Karasanyi explores how knowledge is evolving in a world where machines can generate convincing arguments and personalized realities shape how we consume information.

Tech journalist Jamie Bartlett, author of How to Talk to AI (And How Not To), explains how individuals can use AI tools without being misled — and why critical thinking matters more than ever.

Paschal Donohoe, the World Bank Group’s Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer, discusses how the Bank is turning more than 80 years of global development experience into practical knowledge that helps countries tackle challenges, including creating jobs and scale solutions in a fast-changing world.

[00:00] Is knowledge still power?

[03:10] How AI can alter our understanding of the world

[10:24] How we can use Large Language Models (LLMs) better

[13:32] Why results and evidence matter

[18:52] The future of AI in development

In development, big wins come from working together — building trust, sharing expertise, and bringing the right partners to the table.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we explore why partnerships matter — from the teamwork and great duos we see in sport, to the coalitions needed to deliver results at scale.

We look at potential from a partnership with Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) — a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and an 1890 land-grant institution with a long tradition of practical, community-focused problem-solving — and how AAMU’s expertise can connect to global development priorities, including Mission 300 and AgriConnect.

Join us as we hear from: Ambassador Roya Rahmani, Director, Global Engagement, World Bank Group; Dr. Daniel K. Wims, President, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University; Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group; and S.L. Price, sports journalist and author of The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse.

[00:00] Every great team, every unforgettable moment, starts with partnership

[00:50] S.L. Price, sports journalist on why partnerships matter in sport

[05:30] Some recent partnerships in health and energy

[07:34] Partnerships with academia and the legacy of HBCUs

[12:52] What Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University could bring to Mission 300

[18:04] Why agriculture matters and the potential of partnerships for AgriConnect

This year countries grappled with a cascade of shocks and economic turbulence, from ongoing conflicts and economic uncertainty to catastrophic weather that tested communities. Yet in the face of these challenges, nations proved far more resilient and adaptive than predicted.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we look back at what shaped 2025 and look ahead to 2026 and beyond. As the global landscape rapidly shifts, we explore how Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are adapting and how different parts of the World Bank Group, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), are working as one to maximize our development impact.

Join us for insights on these issues and more from Anna Bjerde, the World Bank's Managing Director of Operations and Raj Kumar, the founding President and Editor-in-Chief of Devex.

[00:00] Challenges and takeaways from 2025

[06:11] How development organizations are evolving and adapting

[12:27] What can we expect from 2026?

[16:26] Wish for the next year

[17:30] 2025 through the eyes of a Kenyan farmer

To learn more about the World Bank Group’s work check out: How to Drive Intelligent Outcomes in an Age of AI

Job creation is the north star for the World Bank Group. But how can we go about it in a way that has a truly catalytic impact? Impact in the sense of generating large numbers of jobs in a sustained way. The answer is to build ecosystems, where all elements interact and support each other.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we get into the nuts and bolts of building jobs ecosystems. We unpack AgriConnect, a new initiative to transform small-scale farming into an engine of sustainable growth, jobs, and food security, and we discuss how technical innovations including “small-AI” can help make this vision a reality.

Join us as we hear from: Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group; Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria; Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Egypt; Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business, Fletcher School, Tufts University; Nidhi Pant, Co-founder of S4S Technologies; Chege Kirundi, Chairman of Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings Ltd and Mufasa, poet, actor, writer and teaching artist from Kenya

[00:00] Building ecosystems around job creation

[03:43] Creating jobs through tourism in Egypt

[05:53] The role of connectivity in Nigeria

[10:19] What is small AI and why does it matter?

[15:20] From subsistence to surplus farming

[22:19] "Farms do not just feed people they nourish communities" Mufasa

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

The world's population growth tells two stories: in many countries populations are aging, while in others, populations are getting younger. Projections show most countries will likely see shrinking populations within the next 25 years due to historically low fertility rates.

But the African continent is bucking this trend. It has the potential to benefit from a demographic dividend: an opportunity for rapid economic growth driven by a large, youthful population. But that is with the right combination of policies and technical support).

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we get to grips with what the data tell us, and what this means for development.

Join us as we hear from: Craig Hammer, Manager, Office of the Chief Statistician & Development Data Group, World Bank Group, Sarah Hague, Regional Advisor Social Policy, East and Southern Africa, UNICEF, Juyoung Yang, Economist, Department of Macroeconomic and Financial Policies, Korea Development Institute, Katia Osei, Head of Environmental Justice, The Or Foundation, Ghana.

[00:00] Welcome: From demographic dividends to sliver tsunamis

[02:28] Two stories of demographic changes in Ghana and Korea

[08:08] Why do we need data for development?

[09:53] The demographic dividend unpacked

[14:36] Missing data in development

[16:27] How the World Bank Group and UNICEF are working together on data collection

[17:36] What new research on childhood poverty reveals

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

How can energy-efficient light bulbs, bricks, and buildings cut costs and improve energy security?

In this episode of The Development Podcast, , we discover that energy efficiency doesn’t just save money—it also drives growth and creates jobs. In 2022 alone, energy efficiency became the largest employer in the energy sector—supporting nearly 11 million jobs—from manufacturing and construction to installation and training.

So, what needs to happen for the world to reap the rewards of becoming more energy efficient? Join us as we hear from: Jas Singh, Lead Energy Specialist, World Bank Group, Melanie Slade, Senior Programme Manager, Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies at the International Energy Agency (IEA), and Nitik Arya, Sauga Bricks Pvt Ltd, India.

[00:00] Welcome: Wasted energy and why we should become more energy efficient

[02:27] Cooler air: The story of a brick manufacturer in India

[07:23] How much progress has the world made on energy efficiency

[10:48] Air cooling systems

[13:32] The invisible powerhouse of economic growth

[19:40] Technological developments and the future of energy efficiency

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

Risk is all around us, an inherent part of life. And in the world of development, there are also risks, including war, civil disturbance and expropriation.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we take a deep dive into the work of MIGA, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency – home of the new World Bank Group Guarantee Platform. Its work with the private sector gives investors the confidence to build power plants, water treatment plans, hospitals and more, unlocking much-needed capital for development. Join us as we hear from Junaid Kamal Ahmad, MIGA Vice President of Operations, and Maira Lelis, Farmer in Brazil.

[00:00] Welcome: Introducing World Bank Group's Guarantees

[03:46] Guarantees in practice: A project supporting agribusiness in Brazil

[07:01] Why guarantees matter in today's development financing landscape

[13:45] Reshaping how we approach financing for development

[18:26] The impact of development in one village

[20:56] How the Guarantee Platform leads to job creation

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

The digital world is developing at a phenomenal pace. From AI tools at our fingertips, to advancements in energy, consumer technology, and connectivity: change is here. Harnessing these changes can unlock prosperity, create jobs, allow access to public services, and accelerate development. But with the digital divide still creating a chasm of connectivity, bridging the gap is an urgent challenge. In this episode of The Development Podcast, we explore how we can ensure that nobody is left behind, and how digital advancements create real-world impact.

1. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, Global Director in the Digital Vice Presidency, covering digital use, and the Director of Strategy and Operations.
2. Américo Muchanga, Mozambique’s Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation
3. Anthony Tan, Grab group CEO and co-founder
4. Youmina Machele, student who is using digital tools to accelerate her leaning in Mozambique

[00:00] Welcome: the benefits of closing the digital divide

[01:39] Grab and the power of the digital economy

[06:57] Digital tools in education

[09:33] Digital transformation and public service delivery in Mozambique

[15:42] How the World Bank Group is supporting digital transformation

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

With 1.2 billion young people in emerging economies reaching working age over the next decade—and only about 420 million jobs expected to be generated—the urgency of finding scalable and sustainable solutions has never been greater.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we hear from one young person about their journey into the world of work and what the World Bank Group is doing to address one of the most urgent issues facing development: how to meet the stable employment aspirations of the developing world's fast-growing youth population.

1. Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group
2. Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation
3. Christina Williams, Lawyer and activist
4. Omprakash Shukla, Chairman and founder, Royal Group of Companies
5. Sharon Maithia, Logistics Manager, Royal Group

[00:00] Welcome: Jobs, young people and prosperity

[03:31] Young voices from Jamaica: Christina Williams, lawyer and activist

[12:49] Job creation: Five promising sectors

[15:09] Voices from Kenya: Inclusive growth and supply chains

[19:48] The role of the private sector in job creation

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

To mark Women’s Month we’re digging into an often overlooked, but critical sector for the global economy, and for many millions of women: Artisanal and Smallscale Mining (ASM).

From gold, cobalt, copper and gemstones to salt, gravel and quarry rock: artisanal and small-scale mining) has played an active role in national development and international trade over the decades. But as the demand for clean energy and for consumer technology grows worldwide, the need for the metals and minerals which are used in everything from smartphones to solar panels to electric vehicle batteries - is skyrocketing.

In this episode of The Development Podcast we get an insight into the lives of women who work in Artisanal and Smallscale Mining. We hear about the dangers they face, efforts to reform conditions and the wider opportunities to build an inclusive future.

1. Dr Rachel Perks, Senior Mining Specialist, World Bank
2. Blessing Hungwe-Nharara, Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining Associations
3. Susan Wheeler, Founder of Virtu Gems

[00:00] Introducing the topic: Mining and women workforce

[03:25] Artisanal and small-scale mining: workforce, challenges, energy transition, digital trends

[11:13] Trailblazing stories: The case of Blessing Hungwe-Nharara in Zimbabwe

[18:33] Gemstones, supply chains, and good practices in the public and private sectors

[21:23] The case of Virtu Gem in the jewelry industry

[26:37] Creating a sustainable value chain for all: What the World Bank is doing

This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.