Artificial Intelligence Will Become an Essential Part of Industrial Policy

Governments around the world are rushing to set artificial intelligence (AI) policies in 2020 as nations recognize the technologies’ potential, and possible drawbacks. Twenty one out of the 40 countries reviewed in BloombergNEF’s 2020 National Industrial Digitalization ranking announced new AI policies or initiatives since mid-2019.

BNEF’s 2020 ranking (press release) reveals the industrial digitalization progress of 40 countries using metrics in investment, governance, workforce and technology. A high score indicates active digital efforts, and the potential for future scaling, across industry and government, backed by the capital, skills and technology. AI policy, funding, targets and regulation are front of center of the strategy for top countries from the ranking ─ South Korea, Singapore and Germany. Each has launched national AI strategies while also outlining draft guidelines to regulate its use.