AI Revolution Could Trigger A New Era Of Inequality
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released a new assessment that says artificial intelligence (AI) might cause a “great divergence” across countries. The report warns that if policies aren’t coordinated, richer countries may get most of the benefits of AI while poorer countries fall farther behind.
The research, called “The Next Great Divergence,” talks about how AI’s ability to disrupt things is similar to how the Industrial Revolution changed things. It says that technology might either speed up growth or make inequality worse.
UNDP Urges Nations To Work Together On Policies Right Away
The study came from the Asia and Pacific regional bureau of the UNDP. It recommended governments take “urgent, coordinated action” to lessen the unequal impacts of AI. Philip Schellekens, the chief economist, said that technology developments might undo decades of work to make the world more equitable.
Schellekens said at a conference in Geneva, “We think AI is the start of a new era of rising inequality between countries.” He warned that wealth might become even more concentrated.
Potential For Global Instability If Inequality Widens Further
The research says that rising inequality might lead to major security and humanitarian problems. If AI-driven prosperity doesn’t include low-income nations, problems like migratory pressures and political instability might get worse throughout the world.
Schellekens said that even developed countries would not be safe. He warned that “the spillover effects in terms of migration, security, and social cohesion will become more daunting if divergence continues.”
Recommended Article: Accenture And OpenAI Boost Enterprise AI Through Partnership
Asia-Pacific Region At The Center Of AI Change
The Asia-Pacific area is at the core of the technology revolution that is happening right now. It is home to more than 55% of the world’s population. The UNDP analysis says that AI may boost the region’s yearly GDP growth by as much as 2 percentage points.
Also, prudent and inclusive use of AI might add around $1 trillion to the GDP of all ASEAN countries over the next 10 years.
Benefits Of AI Already Clear In Many Fields
The paper says that AI has already made the area better in ways that can be measured. Better remote education, faster illness diagnosis, more access to money for small businesses, and better disaster management systems are some examples.
These applications show that AI has the ability to make people’s lives better, but the advantages are not uniformly spread out; thus, many poor countries can’t fully take part in this change.
The Digital Divide Leaves Developing Nations Behind
Countries with inadequate digital infrastructure and few skilled workers are at risk of being left out of AI innovation, which is led by sophisticated economies like Singapore, Japan, and China. Many people can’t use AI well because their internet connection is weak, their energy is unstable, and they don’t have the technical skills they need.
The UNDP research says that millions of jobs, especially those held by women and young people, are at risk of becoming automated unless new policies for education and retraining are put in place.
UNDP Stresses Human Choice In AI’s Global Future
In the end, the UNDP says that technology alone should not decide the future. The paper ends by saying, “People, not machines, should decide which technologies to prioritize.”
The group asks international leaders to make sure that AI development stays ethical, open, and focused on people. They stress that whether AI becomes a tool for progress or a cause of inequality will depend on how well people work together.
