Bloomberg Talks Microsoft President Brad Smith Talks Using AI to Advance the Global South
Feb 18, 2026
Brad Smith, President of Microsoft and tech policy leader, talks about expanding AI access in the Global South. He covers the AI adoption gap, economic risks of being left behind, and Microsoft’s $50 billion investment priorities. He also discusses hiring for AI-ready talent, retraining, and the role of Copilot and partnerships like OpenAI in scaling AI capabilities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Could Close Or Widen Global Divides
- AI adoption is uneven: about 25% in the global north versus 14% in the global south, and growth rates are nearly double in the north.
- Brad Smith warns this could either close or widen long-term economic divides depending on deployment.
AI As A Transformative General-Purpose Technology
- Smith compares AI to electricity as a general-purpose technology that reshaped economies over decades.
- Countries that adopt AI widely will likely see faster productivity, job growth, and economic opportunity.
Mobilize Funding And Institutions For Adoption
- Invest in capability and world-leading technology to kickstart AI adoption in the Global South.
- Mobilize private capital, governments, schools, and tech companies to scale skills and demand.