Artificial intelligence (AI), despite its significant promise, presents a complex landscape fraught with potential challenges, particularly concerning its impact on already disadvantaged populations, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The report, launched in Bangkok, draws a parallel between the current situation and the “Great Divergence” of the industrial revolution, suggesting that without proactive measures, the vast majority of AI's benefits will be concentrated in wealthy nations, exacerbating existing global inequalities.

A core message from Michael Muthukrishna of the London School of Economics, the report's main author, emphasizes the necessity of a “people-first” approach. He cautions against prioritizing technology over human well-being, asserting that the critical question surrounding AI is not merely its potential for productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth, but its profound implications for human lives.

The risk of exclusion looms large for communities struggling with basic access to skills, electricity, and internet connectivity. This vulnerability extends to older individuals and those displaced by war, civil conflict, and climate disasters. Such groups are not only at risk of being left behind but may also become