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Artificial intelligence is set to dramatically transform the global economy, revolutionizing everything from labor markets to digital infrastructure and supply chains.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), almost 40% of global employment is exposed to AI, with certain industries more exposed to AI-driven automation than others.

This map visualizes the top 10 countries most prepared for AI, according to the IMF’s AI Preparedness Index, with shading to indicate the rankings of the remaining 164 countries included in the index.

The index covers a total of 174 countries for 2023, and draws from data from eight institutions, including the International Labour Organization, World Bank, World Economic Forum, and more.

Top Countries For AI Preparedness

Singapore ranks first as the country most prepared for smooth AI adoption.

The country has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into boosting AI capabilities and supporting national AI strategies.

Singaporean workers are also the world’s fastest in adopting AI skills, according to LinkedIn.

The Singapore government has even developed a suite of general-purpose AI tools for public service officers, which still adhere to strict security standards.

Besides Singapore, northwestern European countries like Denmark (#2), the Netherlands (#4), Estonia (#5), Finland (#6), and Sweden (#1) also scored in the top 10 for AI preparedness.

Separately, McKinsey cited nine “digital front-runners,” consisting of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Luxembourg (#11), Norway (#19), Ireland (#23), and Belgium (#24), as being well-prepared for AI adoption due to their advanced digital infrastructure, skilled workforce, supportive policy environments, and high levels of corporate AI adoption.

Several of these European countries were also among the world’s earliest adopters of national AI strategies, such as Finland’s 2017 AI strategy aimed at enhancing business competitiveness and data efficiency, and Sweden’s 2018 “National Approach for Artificial Intelligence” focusing on education, research, and infrastructure development.

Measuring AI Preparedness

The IMF’s AI Preparedness Index is the average of four key metrics:

• Digital infrastructure
• Human capital
• Technological innovation
• Legal frameworks

Each metric has a set of sub-indicators, including, but not limited to, sustained human capital investment, inclusive STEM expertise, a vibrant R&D ecosystem, and the adaptability of legal frameworks to digital business models.

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