Omkar Dattatray
Artificial Intelligence AI has revolutionised the humanity, modern life and all facets of human life.AI is in fact beneficial to the countries across the globe. But it is the man who is making misuse of AI and so this tool of the technology is proving a cause of concern. The world is divided over the subject of AI and there are two camps one that of the developed countries and the other of the developing and poor nations and the developed world is all for the use of AI and at the same time the developing countries show reservation so for as AI is concerned. The world is deeply divided over Artificial Intelligence [AI] , driven by a widening ‘’AI divide’’ that splits nations between those leading in technology and those falling behind. This gap is defined by disparities in infrastructure, data access, and skills, creating a two-tier world where high-income countries dominate AI development, while low -income nations, particularly in Africa face exclusion.
DeepSeek –Artificial Intelligence Golbal Digital Divide----1---The Power Gap----A small group of nations [primarily US and China] leads in AI maturity, innovation, and compute, while many developing nations struggle to access basic AI tools.
2-----The Vulnerability Gap---While AI benefits concentrate at the top, risks, such as job displacement and energy -intensive data centre demands, fall heavily on developing countries.
3----Economic & Social Disparity----The UN Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology warns that, without intervention.AI will worsen inequalities in productivity, labour and economic growth.
4----The ‘’Chip War’’& Regulations-----Geopolitical tensions over semiconductor access are creating distinct technological spheres, forcing countries to align with specific AI ecosystems.
5---Socio-Demographic Divides---Within countries, disparities exist in AI literacy and trust,with women often more concerned about AI’s impact and less likely to have heard about its advancements compared to men.
To prevent further fragmentation, experts emphasize the need for inclusive AI governance, investment in local infrastructure, and international cooperation to ensure the technology benefits all humanity
The global artificial intelligence [AI] landscape is fragmented, with a few nation’s leading, some striving to catch up and many excluded, amplifying economic and social disparities. Countries need adaptable AI strategies aligned with local priorities, focusing on infrastructure talent development, and fostering public-private collaboration. Multistakeholder partnerships can address shared challenges, such as susta9inable AI infrastructure and equitable AI access, to unlock global benmefits.AI has long been hailed as the transformative technology destined to driver rapid advancements across all sectors of national economies and societies. However, realising this promise is not straightforward. It necessitates significant resources ,political will and multistakeholder collaboration to enable responsible and equitable development and widespread adaptation of AI.
Nations globally are embracing AI, even as the long-term capabilities of the technology remain uncertain. Developing AI -resilient ecosystems and preparing for AI disruption necessitate a comprehensive yet flexible strategy. The global landscape of AI can be divided into three distinct groups-a few nation’s leading the way with high levels of AI maturity and innovation countries actively working to become regional AI leaders, and a large portion of the world that remains excluded from the Ai revolution. On the global scale, significant challenges persist. The adoption of AI tools and services by industries, small businesses and individuals represents a considerable hurdle to enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth. Artificial Intelligence is no longer the stuff of science fiction ,it is woven into the fabric of modern life. From how we shop and work to how we heal and connect, AI is quietly transforming the world around us. But as this powerful technology rises, it does not inspire the same feelings everywhere. While some welcome AI as a dawn of a smarter, more efficient era, some others view it with suspicion, concern or even fear. Why is this divide so wide? The answer lies in how differently people experience its promises and pitfalls. Let ,us explore both sides of this divide.
Bridging the AI Divide –From Global Concerns to Universal Benefits-----On one side of the divide is a wave of hope and excitement. For innovators, governments, and forward -thinking societies. AI represents boundless opportunity. Businesses are harnessing AI to boost productivity and make smarter decisions faster than ever before. .In medicine, AI is driving breakthroughs, from early disease detection to accelerate drug development, saving time, money, and lives. Everyday conveniences like voice assistants, smart homes, and personalised recommendations are making life smoother and more connected. And, for countries investing heavily in AI, it is more than progress –it is a race to shape the future of the global economy. But there is another side to the story, one filled with caution and unease. The fear of job loss looms large, especially in 8industries already feeling the effects of automation. There is grow98ing concern over privacy, as AI systems collect and process vast amounts of personal data. Technology, if trained on biased or incomplete data, can reflect and amplify unfairness impacting decisions in hiring, policing, and beyond. And, when algorithms make life -altering choices, the question arises -who is held accountable when something goes wrong? Many worry that in our rush towards automation, we may be handing over too much control. This divide is not just about opinions; it is about realities. In Wealthier nations, where access to education and technology is widespread.AI feels like an asset. In contrast, in parts of the world where jobs are more fragile and tech access is limited, AI can feel like a threat to livelihoods and dignity. Cultural values, government transparency, and the degree to which people are 9involved in shaping AI policies all contribute to how technology bis received. What feels like a step forward in one country might feel like a step over the line in another. To bridge this global gap, we nee3d more than innovation we need intention .AI should be developed with fairness, transparency, and humanity at its core. Workers must be supported, not sidelined, as automation grows. Global cooperation is key, because the impacts of AI do not stop at borders. And most importantly, the public deserves a seat at the table. The future of AI is not just written in algorithm’s it is shaped by our values, our choices, our willingness to listen to one another. If we get it right, AI could be one of the greatest tools we have ever created, not just for a few, but for everyone. 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 revolutionising industries worldwide, offering tremendous opportunities for innovation and productivity. However, it is also exacerbating economic and social inequalities due to uneven rate of investment, adoption, and use. This emerging ‘’AI divide’’ means high-income nations dipropionate Ly benefit from AI advancements, while low -and medium -income countries, particularly in Africa lag behind. There is utmost need and necessity for international collaboration on AI so that the challenges it poses can be averted and the benefits of AI are equally shared by different countries in the globe.PM Modi has positioned India as a proactive leader in the global AI landscape with a focus on’’ human -centric’’technology.PM has said that AI is a big opportunity which will help in Viksit Bharat and he emphasized on global cooperation to ensure AI is beneficial to countries across the globe.
The author is a columnist, social, KP activist & Freelancer |
