UN report claims global AI divide is deepening as most countries left behind

A new UN report highlights concerning disparities in global AI development, revealing a deepening technological divide that threatens to leave most countries behind. While a handful of nations and companies dominate AI innovation and investment, the report warns that without deliberate intervention, AI could exacerbate existing inequalities rather than fulfill its promise as a tool for universal economic advancement. This stark assessment emphasizes the need for international cooperation and inclusive policies to ensure AI benefits extend beyond the current power centers.

The big picture: The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published a comprehensive report on artificial intelligence that reveals alarming global disparities in AI development and adoption.

• “History has shown that while technological progress drives economic growth, it does not on its own ensure equitable income distribution or promote inclusive human development,” states UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan in the report’s preamble.
• The findings paint a picture of concentrated AI power where approximately 118 countries remain largely excluded from meaningful participation in the AI revolution.

Behind the numbers: Global AI investment is overwhelmingly dominated by a small number of nations, with the United States leading by an extraordinary margin.

• The United States accounted for $67 billion in private AI investment in 2023, dwarfing China’s $7.8 billion and India’s $1.4 billion.
• AI spending represented 7% of total investment in 2023 and is projected to reach 29% by 2033, indicating its rapidly growing economic importance.

Key details: The report identifies several critical concerns about AI’s impact on global labor markets and technological development.

• AI is expected to affect up to 40% of jobs globally, with about one-third of jobs in developed economies at risk of automation.
• Approximately 100 companies will drive 40% of global research and development, further concentrating technological advancement.
• Only a few developing nations—notably Brazil, China, India, and the Philippines—have managed to establish significant positions in the AI landscape.

The way forward: UNCTAD’s report outlines specific recommendations to address the widening technological divide and promote more equitable AI development.

• The creation of a “shared AI resource facility” could help democratize access to AI tools and knowledge.
• Development of a “public disclosure framework” would increase transparency in AI development and deployment.
• Increased investment in infrastructure, data, and skills development in underrepresented regions is essential for broader participation.

Why this matters: Without coordinated international action, AI could reinforce existing global inequalities rather than serving as a tool for universal economic advancement.

• Advanced economies already benefit from larger pools of skilled workers and more developed national AI strategies, giving them a significant head start.
• The concentration of AI benefits in a handful of nations and companies threatens to create new forms of technological colonialism, leaving most of the world as mere consumers rather than creators.