Foreword Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to fuel the Fourth Industrial Revolution, drive economic growth and spur innovation across all industries and societies. While the promise of AI is becoming a reality in certain regions, many nations with limited access to energy-intensive AI infrastructure, advanced computing capability, high-quality data and AI skills risk missing out on the economic and societal benefits promised by the age of intelligence. In 2024, the AI Governance Alliance, part of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, introduced the AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration Initiative to promote a holistic approach to creating more equitable and responsible AI economies and societies. It aims to facilitate prosperous, inclusive, secure and sustainable intelligence-driven economies while mitigating the widening gap in access to AI technologies through collaborative action. Our white paper, Blueprint for Intelligent Economies: AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration, outlines the opportunities that governments, enterprises, academia and wider civic society can harness to achieve a successful AI revolution. Given that aspirations and resources in the field of AI vary significantly, the blueprint provides guidance for nations and regions at any level of digital and AI maturity. We have chosen to spotlight three strategic objectives – building sustainable AI infrastructure, curating diverse and high-quality datasets, and establishing guardrails for ethics, safety and security. Each spotlight illustrates a range of challenges and the potential capabilities required by key actors in the AI ecosystem globally. We invite you to explore this blueprint and participate in the next phase of our work, which will centre on regional challenges. We thank those who have contributed to this report and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to realize the economic and societal benefits of AI for all. Adrian Clamp Global Head, Digital Transformation for Sectors; Member, AI Council, KPMG InternationalCathy Li Head, AI, Data and Metaverse; Deputy Head, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution; Member, Executive Committee, World Economic Forum Blueprint for Intelligent Economies: AI Competitiveness through Regional CollaborationJanuary 2025 Blueprint for Intelligent Economies 3

A Blueprint for Intelligent Economies 2025