Arianna Legovini Founding Director of DIME at The World Bank

Arianna Legovini

Founding Director of DIME

The World Bank

About Me

Arianna Legovini is the Director of the Development Impact (DIME) department at the World Bank and the visionary behind the DIME model — a pioneering approach that integrates data and scientific evidence into the heart of development finance. Her work has influenced over $22 billion in global investments, mobilized $220 million for policy-relevant research, and forged partnerships with 300+ institutions worldwide. Arianna leads innovation at the intersection of technology and development. She founded ImpactAI, a generative AI platform that revolutionizes how policymakers access and apply evidence. Drawing from over 7,000 randomized evaluations, ImpactAI delivers real-time, actionable insights — and soon, predictive analytics to forecast the impact of entire projects and portfolios. She also spearheads LEADS, a flagship initiative scaling adaptive delivery and real-time data use across African governments and beyond. Through LEADS, countries are learning faster, delivering better services, and driving transformation through evidence. Globally recognized for her leadership in institutional change, open science, and frontier methods, Arianna is shaping how knowledge and innovation accelerate impact at scale.

Hear My Insights

The Deliberate Algorithm: Choosing AI's Ethical Path

History has taught us that technological advancement doesn't always guarantee positive change. Balancing profit with purpose – and cultivating a conscientious approach to development and deployment – is crucial. This session confronts the ethical choices shaping AI's trajectory. How can we ensure AI serves humanity's best interests? How can we identify and prioritize applications that address pressing challenges, not theoretical possibilities? And where do we draw the line on AI’s capabilities? Three experts weigh in.

Code of Silence: Misogyny, Algorithms, and the Tech Power Structure

Technology, despite its focus on innovation, struggles with deep-seated sexism. Algorithms are not neutral; they amplify misogynistic content and contribute to the rise of the "manosphere"—a digital ecosystem where male supremacy thrives. This occurs amidst a politically charged climate, where women's autonomy faces renewed threats. How can we address the systemic biases embedded in technology, and what steps are necessary to durably dismantle the male-dominated power structures that perpetuate misogyny in the digital age?