The United Nations has issued a warning that the current disparity in access to artificial intelligence could significantly widen the gap between wealthy and developing nations. A senior official from the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) stated that unequal access to AI technologies risks leaving poorer countries further behind in the global economic landscape.
The concern was raised by the deputy secretary-general of the UN’s ICT agency, who highlighted what is being described as an “opportunity divide.” This term refers to the growing chasm between nations that have the infrastructure and resources to develop and deploy AI systems and those that do not.
According to the official, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is not being distributed evenly across the globe. Without equitable access to these tools, developing economies may struggle to compete in an increasingly digital world, potentially exacerbating existing global inequalities.
The ITU, as the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies, plays a central role in coordinating global standards and policies for the digital sector. Its leadership’s comments underscore the urgency of addressing the digital divide as AI becomes integral to various industries and government services.
This warning comes at a time when major global powers are investing heavily in AI research and development. The UN official’s remarks suggest that international cooperation is necessary to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared broadly, rather than concentrated among a few advanced economies.
As the technology continues to evolve, the focus of international discourse is shifting toward how to manage its societal and economic impacts. The “opportunity divide” serves as a critical metric for assessing whether the global community is preparing for an inclusive digital future or one that deepens historical disparities.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>