KATHMANDU: Nepal has been placed 150th out of 193 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index for the year 2023, according to a report published by Oxford Insights.
The United States leads the index with a total score of 84.80, followed by Singapore in second place with a score of 81.97. Nepal achieved a total score of 30.77, indicating room for improvement in its AI readiness.
The index evaluates countries based on three pillars: government, technology sector, and data and infrastructure. Nepal scored 31.04 in the government pillar, 24.21 in the technology sector, and 37.06 in data and infrastructure.
Comparing to the previous year, Nepal’s position has slipped from 139th to 150th, signaling the need for enhanced efforts in AI readiness. Afghanistan ranked last in 2022 with a total score of 13.46, while the Democratic Republic of Korea ranks last in 2023 with a score of 9.20.
India stands at 40th place and China at 16th in 2023, showcasing their advancements in AI readiness. The index assesses various dimensions such as vision, governance, digital capacity, infrastructure, data availability, and more, across 39 indicators.
The report highlights the global digital divide, with disparities between high and low-income economies in data and infrastructure readiness. It emphasizes the importance of AI strategies in bridging this divide and providing valuable insights for governments, private sectors, and researchers.
Oxford Insights, a UK-based organization specializing in technology and government intersections, conducted the study, collecting data from multiple sources including OECD AI Policy Observatory, UN IDIR AI policy portal, and others.
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