Harnessing AI for rural innovation: the role of rural–urban linkages
Nov 26, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Conference room
Description
Harnessing AI and rural–urban connections to foster rural innovation is gaining growing attention. AI can enable innovation, research, and expertise from urban-based universities, research centres, and businesses to flow more effectively to rural actors. Policies should promote rural–urban partnerships, technology clusters, and networks—both formal and informal—that support the uptake of AI and collaborative projects in sectors such as agriculture, food, logistics, and rural health. Encouraging policies that link rural innovation policies with urban investment strategies, including smart specialisation, place-based incentives, and shared innovation infrastructure. At the same time, proactive measures are needed to ensure the transformative benefits of AI—productivity gains, improved public services, and labour-shortage relief—extend to rural areas. Ensuring high-quality digital infrastructure remains fundamental, as weak connectivity limits deployment and widens divides. This session examines how AI can serve as a catalyst for rural innovation and inclusion, highlighting the role of rural–urban linkages in disseminating technology, skills, and data infrastructure.
