Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to widen the gap between developed and developing countries, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), quoted by “Reuters“, reports News.bg.
The document warns of a possible “major gap“ in terms of economic performance, people's skills and governance systems across countries.
“We believe AI heralds a new era of growing inequality between countries, after years of gradual convergence over the past 50 years“, said Philippe Schellekens, chief economist at the UNDP regional office for Asia and the Pacific, at a briefing in Geneva.
The report, titled “The Next Big Divergence: Why AI Could Widen Inequality Between Countries“, says that trade, technology and development have helped close the gaps between countries in recent decades, leading to significant improvements in income, health and education.
Now those gains are at risk, the report warns. Schellekens noted that even rich countries could suffer if poorer countries lag behind in the development and use of artificial intelligence.
“If inequality continues to grow, the consequences will affect security and increase undocumented forms of migration,“ he stressed.