Bangkok: Behind the global excitement surrounding artificial intelligence lies a set of uncomfortable realities — especially for communities already marginalised in an increasingly data-driven world.
A new report released Tuesday by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) warns that the benefits of AI are poised to disproportionately favour wealthy nations unless deliberate steps are taken to close massive gaps in digital access, skills, and basic infrastructure. The report compares the current moment to the “Great Divergence” of the Industrial Revolution, when fast-modernising Western nations surged ahead while others were left behind.
While AI promises higher productivity, growth and new industries, the UNDP emphasises that the more urgent question is how these technologies will affect human lives — particularly those lacking resources, skills or representation in data systems.
“We tend to overemphasise the role of technology,” said Michael Muthukrishna of the London School of Economics, the report’s lead author. “We need to ensure it’s not technology first, but people first,” he said during the report’s launch event in Bangkok.
Communities Most at Risk of Being Left Behind
The report highlights that millions across Asia and the world still struggle with unreliable electricity, limited internet connectivity, insufficient digital education, displacement due to conflict or climate disasters, and lack of representation in data sets. These gaps mean entire populations could become “invisible” to systems powered by AI, worsening inequality.
“As a general-purpose technology, AI can lift productivity, spark new industries, and help latecomers catch up,” the report notes.
The potential benefits are vast:
- Faster and more accurate medical diagnoses
- AI-assisted analysis of X-rays
- Better agricultural advice for farmers
- Real-time forecasts for natural disasters
- Improved poverty tracking and public decision-making
These tools could transform rural and disaster-prone regions by providing insights and services that were previously out of reach.
Environmental, Ethical and Cybersecurity Risks
Even technologically advanced countries like the United States face significant challenges. The explosion of AI development has triggered concerns about:
- Massive electricity and water consumption by data centres
- Slower progress in reducing carbon emissions
- Health hazards from increased fossil fuel use
- Privacy breaches
- Large-scale cyberattacks automated by AI
- Deepfakes that misinform or enable criminal activities
The report stresses that without strong safeguards, AI could accelerate misinformation, surveillance abuses, and discrimination — especially as many AI systems function as “black boxes” that can encode biases.
Asia-Pacific’s Uneven Readiness for AI
The UNDP report finds that several Asian nations — including China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore — are well positioned to take advantage of AI innovation. In contrast, countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Maldives lack sufficient digital skills, power reliability, and infrastructure.
Regional inequities within countries are also stark. Even in advanced economies, entire regions risk falling behind due to inadequate digital access or investment.
About 25% of the Asia-Pacific population still has no internet access, the report says — a critical barrier in a world where digital services are becoming essential for education, identity verification, payments and employment.
“If such gaps are not closed,” said Philip Schellekens, the UNDP’s chief economist for Asia-Pacific, “millions could be excluded from participating in the global digital economy.”
Call for Balance, Transparency and Regulation
Schellekens said that while AI brings transformative potential, the world needs “less hysteria and hype” and more balanced approaches — including:
- Transparent AI systems
- Effective regulations
- Strong privacy protections
- Fair competition rules
- Investments in digital infrastructure
- Education and training to support workers
AI, the report argues, is becoming as essential as electricity, the internet and transport networks. Governments must therefore invest in ensuring equitable access and protecting communities most vulnerable to disruption.
“The goal,” the report concludes, “is to democratise access to AI so that every country and community can benefit while protecting those most at risk.”