White Paper A Framework for Developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

The World Economic Forum proposes a framework for national AI strategies based on a study of existing plans from countries like Canada, India, and Japan. The framework emphasizes a proactive, multistakeholder approach starting with a SWOT analysis to align AI goals with national priorities. Key dimensions of a comprehensive strategy include establishing data-protection and ethical laws, fostering industry-academia research integration, future-proofing the workforce through reskilling, investing in strategic economic sectors, and engaging in international collaboration. The document argues that implementation requires a clear responsibility matrix and a coordinating administrative structure to manage the multidisciplinary nature of AI deployment.

• A national AI strategy should begin with a comprehensive self-assessment using a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) model to ensure resource deployment aligns with a country's specific demographic needs, strategic priorities, and geopolitical considerations.
• A "minimum viable" national AI strategy must include five key dimensions: standardized data-protection and ethical frameworks, a strong research environment with industry-academia integration, workforce preparation for the AI economy, targeted investment in strategic sectors, and international collaboration.
• To avoid inefficient resource distribution, governments—particularly in emerging countries—should focus AI investments on vital industries and sectors of excellence rather than spreading limited funding across all sectors.
• Effective implementation of an AI strategy requires a dedicated administrative structure with coordinating capabilities across government, academia, and the private sector, rather than a structure designed only for strategy formulation.
• National strategies must address the risk of job displacement by creating specific provisions and investments for skilling and reskilling the workforce to ensure they can participate in the AI economy.

APA

World Economic Forum (2019). White Paper A Framework for Developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_National_AI_Strategy.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. White Paper A Framework for Developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. 2019. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_National_AI_Strategy.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=White Paper A Framework for Developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy |date=August 2019 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_National_AI_Strategy.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2019white, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{White Paper A Framework for Developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2019}, month = aug, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_National_AI_Strategy.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }