In a joint report, the ILO and the UN Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology warn that without international action, the AI revolution could widen the gap between high and low-income countries.
Geneva/ILO: The Artificial Intelligence revolution will only widen the gap between high and low-income countries unless cooperative international action is taken, a new report from the ILO and the UN Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology warns.
The report, titled Mind the AI Divide: Shaping a Global Perspective on the Future of Work found that AI is revolutionizing industries worldwide, offering tremendous opportunities for innovation and productivity. However, it is also exacerbating economic and social inequalities due to uneven rates of investment, adoption, and use. This emerging “AI divide” means high-income nations disproportionately benefit from AI advancements, while low- and medium-income countries, particularly in Africa, lag behind.
The workplace is where Artificial Intelligence can lead to productivity gains and improved working conditions. Unequal access to infrastructure, technology, quality education, and training, however, could lead to uneven adoption of AI, which would, in turn, deepen inequalities globally.
High-income countries are well-positioned to leverage AI for productivity gains, while developing countries could face bottlenecks due to a lack of digital infrastructure. This disparity could turn a temporary buffer against AI-driven changes into a long-term barrier to economic prosperity.
Global partnerships and pro-active strategies to support developing nations, including access to digital infrastructure, upskilling, and social dialogue, are necessary prerequisites to closing the technological gap and ensuring that the AI revolution doesn’t leave significant portions of the world’s population behind.
Annually, more than $300 billion is spent globally on technology to enhance computing capacity, but these investments are focused mainly on higher-income nations, creating a disparity in access to infrastructure and skills development that puts developing countries and their homegrown start-ups at a severe disadvantage.
In addition, without national tech industries, workers in developing nations who have the skills will offer their skills through freelance platforms, effectively building up companies in other countries, creating a virtual brain drain.
The report also notes that women, are most vulnerable to the automating effects of AI, particularly in clerical and business process outsourcing roles, such as call centers, prevalent in developing economies. However, the research suggests that while automation risks job displacement, it also offers potential for job augmentation, improving job quality and productivity.
The report proposed three policy pillars: strengthened international cooperation, building national capacity, and addressing AI in the world of work. This includes:
- Enhancing Digital Infrastructure: Developing countries need robust digital infrastructure to support AI adoption. This includes access to electricity, broadband, and modern communication technologies.
- Promoting Technology Transfer: High-income countries should assist in transferring AI technologies and knowledge to developing nations, fostering a collaborative environment for technological advancement.
- Building AI Skills: Investment in education and training is crucial to equip the workforce with necessary AI skills. This will enable workers to adapt to and benefit from AI-driven changes.
- Encouraging Social Dialogue: Effective integration of AI in workplaces requires social dialogue to ensure that technological advancements respect workers’ rights and improve job quality.
The “Mind the AI Divide” report also calls on policymakers, industry leaders, and international organizations to work together in shaping a fair and inclusive AI-driven future.
