UN warns that artificial intelligence could widen disparities between countries

Artificial intelligence could widen the gap between developed and developing countries, warns a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). According to the document, AI could disrupt decades of gradual convergence in the economic levels of states and create a "new great divergence" in economic performance, the skills of the population and the ability of states to manage modern systems.

Philip Schellekens, chief economist of UNDP's Asia-Pacific regional office, told a briefing in Geneva that AI could usher in an era of growing inequality between countries after a period when trade, technology and development helped narrow those gaps.

The report notes that thanks to these factors, incomes, access to healthcare and education have all increased significantly in recent decades.

However, the UNDP warns that these gains may be at risk if richer countries benefit incomparably more than poorer countries from AI development. Ultimately, Schellekens argues, developed countries will also suffer if widening inequalities manifest themselves in the areas of security or migration.

He warns that rising inequalities could lead to more illegal migration and a deterioration in global stability.

(reuters, lud)