UN warns AI could fuel a ‘great divergence’ between rich and poor nations

Artificial intelligence could widen the gap between rich and poor nations, the U.N. Development Programme warned in a report from its Asia-Pacific bureau. The study, “The Next Great Divergence,” says early gains are accruing to advanced economies such as Singapore, Japan and China, while countries with limited connectivity, power and skills risk falling behind. UNDP’s Philip Schellekens cautioned that rising inequality could spill over into security and migration pressures. The report projects AI could lift Asia-Pacific GDP growth by about two percentage points annually and add nearly $1 trillion to ASEAN output over the next decade, but flags heavy exposure of jobs—particularly for women and youth—to automation. It urges coordinated policy to expand digital infrastructure, skills and safety nets to ensure AI’s benefits are broadly shared.

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