A UN report indicates that Artificial Intelligence may exacerbate global inequality.

According to UN economists, millions of jobs in Asia may be jeopardised as the artificial intelligence (AI) sector flourishes, adversely affecting poorer nations that continue to grapple with fundamental digital access and literacy challenges. Similar to how 19th-century industrialisation divided the world into a prosperous minority and a destitute majority, the AI revolution may produce a like outcome. Philip Schellekens, Chief Economist for the UN Development Programme for the Asia and Pacific region, cautioned that “Countries investing in skills, computational capabilities, and effective governance will prosper, while others may be significantly disadvantaged.” A recent analysis from the agency emphasised that women and young individuals are the most vulnerable to the risks posed by AI in the workplace, thereby jeopardising broader advancements in health, education, and income. Simultaneously, the digital powerhouse is projected to contribute over $1 trillion in economic benefits over the forthcoming decade throughout Asia, according to research. The UN agency stated that while China, Singapore, and South Korea have made substantial investments in and reaped considerable benefits from AI, entry-level workers in other South Asian countries encounter “significant exposure” to ongoing changes, including automation. “Inadequate infrastructure, skills, computational power, and governance capabilities hinder the potential advantages of AI while exacerbating risks, including employment.” To avert an impending employment crisis, UNDP is advocating for governments to evaluate the ethical implications of AI prior to its further implementation, emphasising the necessity for inclusivity in this process. Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, stated, “AI is advancing rapidly, while numerous countries remain at the starting line.” The Asia and Pacific experience underscores the rapid emergence of disparities between those who develop AI and those who are influenced by it. In nations such as Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam, the emphasis lies not on advancing AI but on utilising current, straightforward voice-based tools accessible to frontline health workers and farmers, even in the absence of internet connectivity. The Asia-Pacific area houses almost 55 percent of the global population, positioning it at the forefront of the AI transition. The UNDP reports that the region contains over half of the world’s AI consumers and is swiftly enhancing its innovation presence; China accounts for approximately 70 percent of worldwide AI patents, while six nations are home to more than 3,100 newly financed AI enterprises. The UN agency stated in its research that “AI could enhance annual GDP growth in the region by approximately two percentage points and increase productivity by up to five percent in sectors such as health and finance.” It highlights that Afghanistan’s average income is 200 times lower than that of Singapore, which partially elucidates the current concentration of AI adoption among a limited number of affluent nations. Schellekens stated, “We are not commencing from an equitable foundation in this region, which is the most unequal in the entire world.”