AI Might Be Causing More Harm Than Good For Some, UN Reports

The United Nations Development Programme is saying that unmanaged artificial intelligence could make divides between countries worse. It said the starting point is very different across the world and this means technological change can give much more to countries that already have strong digital systems. The report called The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries said this could undo years of progress that helped lower income countries catch up in health, education and income.

Asia and the Pacific holds more than 55% of the global population and now has more than half of global AI users. The report said the region is building its innovation footprint quickly. China came up to nearly 70% of global AI patents and over 3,100 newly funded AI companies across six economies show strong momentum. It said AI could lift GDP growth in Asia and the Pacific by around 2 percentage points.

The UNDP report said the concern is that countries with limited digital access could see less benefit. It pointed to divides in infrastructure, skills, computing power and governance capacity that can hold back progress and heighten problems such as job loss, data exclusion and pressure on global energy and water use from AI systems.

What Does This Mean For Workers And People’s Lives?

The report said jobs held by women and young people face exposure to automation. It said jobs held by women are nearly twice as exposed. Youth employment is already going down in high AI exposure roles for those aged 22 to 25. The UNDP said this threatens early working life progress in many places where young people already face setbacks.

Ownership of basic digital tools also shows divides. In South Asia, women are up to 40% less likely than men to own a smartphone. The report said this reduces access to services that link to AI systems such as health or banking. It said rural and indigenous communities lack presence in datasets that train AI tools so they risk being left out of public services and may face bias when systems judge eligibility.

Governance systems are not set up everywhere to deal with data misuse or unfair decisions made by AI. The UNDP said limited countries have full regulations. It said that more than 40% of global data breaches tied to generative AI misuse may take place in 2027. It called this a serious area for countries to catch up.

The UNDP discussed higher water and energy needs from AI technology which can add strain to public resources. It said these pressures will impact more on places that lack reliable water and power systems.

Can AI Help Governments If Done Well?

The report said there are promising examples. Bangkok uses a platform called Traffy Fondue that has processed nearly 600,000 reports from residents. City agencies respond faster to daily problems such as damaged roads or waste that needs collection. This shows that data systems can make public service work faster.

The UNDP also pointed to a service in Singapore called Moments of Life. It reduced paperwork for new parents from about 120 minutes to 15 minutes. Families get documents and information in one place which makes contact with government offices easier during early parenthood. It said this is one way AI can support wellbeing.

In Beijing, officials use digital twins to help with urban planning and flood management. These tools show real time information that helps plan infrastructure and protect communities in areas where water levels can rise very quickly. The report said examples like these show what can happen when agencies have capacity, skills and clear rules to use technology.

The UNDP said many governments lack these systems so they face a struggle to build them. It said digital readiness differs strongly from Singapore, South Korea and China to places that are still putting basic digital access in place. It said building skills and infrastructure will matter for every country that wants to take advantage without leaving people behind.

The United Nations Development Programme said the world can turn the risk into progress for all countries but policy choices will decide the outcome.

“AI is racing ahead, and many countries are still at the starting line,” said Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “The Asia and Pacific experience highlights how quickly gaps can emerge between those shaping AI and those being shaped by it. “

“The central fault line in the AI era is capability,” said Philip Schellekens, UNDP Chief Economist for Asia and the Pacific. “Countries that invest in skills, computing power and sound governance systems will benefit, others risk being left far behind.”