The International Monetary Fund is urging governments and technology companies to put stronger guardrails around artificial intelligence as the technology reshapes jobs, markets and national economies. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva made the warning Friday at the IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok, comparing AI to a fast race car that could hurt people if it leaves the track.
IMF warns of AI disruption
Georgieva said AI could deliver major benefits for humanity, but those gains could be overwhelmed if the technology develops without adequate controls. She said policymakers must act while AI systems are advancing quickly, rather than wait for serious economic or social damage.
The IMF’s official meeting agenda describes AI as a force changing how businesses operate, how goods and services are produced, and how people learn and work. It identifies productivity, labor markets, financial stability, public policy and economic resilience as major areas requiring attention. (International Monetary Fund)
Jobs face uneven effects
The employment impact remains uncertain. Georgieva said an IMF study found that AI will create or transform some work while eliminating jobs based on repetitive tasks. The effects are likely to vary among countries, industries and workers, depending on access to technology, training and social protections.
The IMF says countries therefore need policies that help workers gain new skills and ensure that AI’s benefits are shared more broadly. The Bangkok panel included leaders from government, central banking, business and AI companies, showing that the issue extends beyond the technology sector.
Financial risks are rising
The IMF also warned that AI could create risks for financial markets and institutions. Its latest financial stability report said markets have benefited from optimism about AI, but a sharp correction could follow if investment or expected profits disappoint. The report also identified cyber incidents as a risk that could disrupt financial services or weaken public confidence. (IMF financial stability briefing)
A separate IMF session on Friday examined how advancing AI may reshape cyber threats and affect macroeconomic and financial stability. The organization said those risks require policy responses across advanced and developing economies. (IMF AI and cyber risks session)
Global rules remain unsettled
Anthropic policy chief Jack Clark, who appeared with Georgieva, said companies should not be the only organizations deciding how advanced AI is governed. His comments add pressure for governments and international institutions to establish common standards as AI systems become more capable and widely deployed.
The IMF meetings placed AI policy alongside employment, financial stability and cybersecurity as a central issue for global economic planning.
References
Kurtenbach, E. (2026, October 16). IMF-World Bank meetings focus on global risks and potential benefits of AI. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/ai-economy-imf-anthropic-faba248f0609534a0d8284dec1b46a81
International Monetary Fund. (2026, October 16). AI and the global economy: From risk to opportunity. https://www.imf.org/en/meetings/2026/annual/schedule/2026/10/16/ai-global-economy-212373
International Monetary Fund. (2026, October 13). IMF / Global Financial Stability Report annual meetings, 2026. https://mediacenter.imf.org/press-briefings/imf---global-financial-stability-report-annual-meetings--2026/s/f55368c1-983b-45b7-1978f67c168c
International Monetary Fund. (2026, October 16). AI & cyber risks. https://www.imfconnect.org/content/imf/en/annual-meetings/calendar/open/2026/10/16/212453.html