Artificial Intelligence has the potential to widen the gap between developed and developing countries, according to a U.N. report released on Tuesday, which calls for policy measures to mitigate its impact. The report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns of a looming “great divergence” in economic performance, skill sets, and governance systems among nations. Philip Schellekens, Chief Economist for the UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Bureau, stated during a press briefing in Geneva,
“We believe that AI is ushering in a new era of increasing inequality between countries, following decades of convergence over the last 50 years.” The UNDP report, titled “The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries,” highlights that trade, technology, and development have successfully narrowed disparities among nations in recent decades, resulting in significant gains in income, health, and education.
However, these achievements are now at risk of being undermined. Schellekens also emphasized that even wealthier countries could face negative consequences if poorer nations are left behind in the AI revolution. He cautioned, “If inequality continues to rise, the resulting spillover effects will pose greater challenges in terms of security and the potential for undocumented migration.”