AI for Development is a Malapropism

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increasingly been included in the range of enabling technologies and tools that support and streamline the process of Development. This led to the promotion of domains such as AI for Good, AI for the Poor or AI for Development (AI4D). But, doing so, it is implicitly assumed that AI complies with the distinctive features of ICT4D such as affordability, relevance, openness and ownership. In this paper, it is shown that AI does not fulfil most of these characteristics and that the term AI4D does not seem to be grounded. To a certain extent, the use of this acronym is misleading and against the fundamentals of the Technology for Development. Decision makers in developing countries shall ponder all factors related to the use of AI and embrace a wider perspective in elaborating and sustaining their national digital transformation strategies.