The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) marks the beginning of a revolutionary period for the global economic environments, particularly in the developing economies of Africa. This concept paper explores the various ways in which AI can stimulate economic growth and innovation in developing markets, despite the challenges they face. By examining examples like VetAfrica, we investigate how AI-powered applications are transforming conventional business models and improving access to financial resources. This highlights the potential of AI in overcoming obstacles such as inefficient procedures and restricted availability of capital. Although AI shows potential, its implementation in these areas faces obstacles such as insufficient digital infrastructure, limited data availability, and a lack of necessary skills. There is a strong focus on the need for a balanced integration of AI, which involves aligning technological progress with ethical considerations and economic inclusivity. This paper focuses on clarifying the capabilities of AI in addressing economic disparities, improving productivity, and promoting sustainable development. It also aims to address the challenges associated with digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and workforce transformation. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of relevant theories, literature, and policy documents, complemented by comparative analysis across South Africa, Nigeria, and Mauritius to illustrate transformative strategies in AI adoption. We propose strategic recommendations to effectively and ethically utilize the potential of AI, by advocating for substantial investments in digital infrastructure, education, and legal frameworks. This will enable Africa to fully benefit from the transformative impact of AI on its economic landscape. This discourse seeks to offer valuable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors, emphasizing innovative AI applications for business growth and financing, thereby promoting economic empowerment in developing economies.

Chinese municipalities have developed a large stock of capital assets during a period of rapid growth and urbanization, but have yet to modernize asset management practices. Cities face challenges such as premature decline of fixed assets and spiking liabilities related to operating and maintaining assets. This paper evaluates the asset management practices in three selected small cities and towns in China, using a benchmarking assessment tool followed by an in-depth field assessment. The paper finds that overall performance is below half the international benchmark for good practice in all three cities. Management practices are considerably more advanced for land than for buildings and infrastructure. Key deficiencies in data availability and reporting, governance, capacity, and financial management indicate increased risks for local government finance and the delivery of public services. For small cities and towns where public revenues are often uncertain and limited, urban public services will be at risk of deterioration unless good asset management practices are put in place. The paper recommends strategic actions for upper and lower levels of government, to advance local asset management practices and facilitate the reform agenda.

In recent times, there has been a surge of interest in the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly within the realm of online advertising. This research focuses on the critical examination of AI’s role in enhancing customer experience (CX) across diverse business applications. The aim is to identify key themes, assess the impact of AI-powered CX initiatives, and highlight directions for future research. Employing a systematic and comprehensive approach, the study analyzes academic publications, industry reports, and case studies to extract theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and practical insights. The findings underscore a significant transformation catalyzed by AI integration into Customer Relationship Management (CRM). AI enables personalized interactions, fortifies customer engagement through interactive agents, provides data-driven insights, and empowers informed decision-making throughout the customer journey. Four central themes emerge: personalized service, enhanced engagement, data-driven strategy, and intelligent decision-making. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and potential negative experiences with poorly implemented AI persist. This article contributes significantly to the discourse on AI in CRM by synthesizing the current state, exploring key themes, and suggesting research avenues. It advocates for responsible AI implementation, emphasizing ethical considerations and guiding organizations in navigating opportunities and challenges.