WTO deputy head: AI applications could boost global trade by nearly 40% by 2040

On Oct 8, 2026, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill said in response to a question from Yicai that the current period marks a boom in AI development, with the focus on building the AI economy and developing related systems.

She noted that this includes both infrastructure such as data centers and practical AI applications, the latter of which could be adopted worldwide. According to the WTO's forecasts, thanks to lower trade costs and higher productivity, AI applications could boost global trade by nearly 40% by 2040.

The WTO is the core international organization for global trade rule-making and dispute settlement.