Artificial intelligence could rewrite the map of global progress—but not in the way many might hope. A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that AI might trigger a fresh wave of inequality, deepening divides between nations that are already on vastly different starting lines.
Released on December 2, 2025, the study titled The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries explores how AI’s potential is a double-edged sword. While it could unlock new possibilities for innovation and growth, the report cautions that many nations lack the infrastructure, skills, and regulations to fully participate in this transformation. Without deliberate action, the long-standing global effort to narrow developmental gaps might begin to reverse. And this is where things start to get controversial—could technology meant to unite the world end up dividing it even further?
Asia-Pacific at the Center of the Shift
Home to over half of humanity, the Asia-Pacific region is now becoming the epicenter of the AI revolution. More than 50% of global AI users live here, and innovation is booming. China, for instance, accounts for nearly 70% of all global AI patents. Across just six regional economies, over 3,100 AI startups have been newly funded. Analysts estimate that AI could boost the region’s GDP growth by around two percentage points annually and increase productivity by up to 5% in industries such as healthcare and finance. Experts even predict that ASEAN countries could collectively gain nearly $1 trillion in added GDP over the next decade.
Yet this transformation carries risk. Millions of jobs—especially those held by women and young people—could disappear if AI adoption proceeds without ethical and inclusive governance. “AI is sprinting ahead, while many countries are still tying their shoes,” warned Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. The region’s journey demonstrates just how quickly divides can form between those shaping AI and those merely reacting to it.
From Convergence to Divergence
For much of the past fifty years, low- and middle-income nations have been catching up with wealthier ones through technology, trade, and development partnerships. This era of “convergence” led to advances in health, education, and incomes worldwide. But the UNDP report raises a red flag: AI could undo these hard-won gains unless countries adopt strong, inclusive policy frameworks.
Digital readiness across the region illustrates this uneven playing field. Economies like Singapore, South Korea, and China are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, education, and digital skills. Meanwhile, others are still struggling to provide basic internet access or digital literacy. Without closing this foundational gap, many nations risk watching the AI boom from the sidelines.
The Human Cost Behind the Data
Perhaps the most striking warning from the report concerns its human impact. Limited technology infrastructure, weak governance, and lack of computing resources amplify not only missed opportunities but also serious risks—like job displacement, biased algorithms, and surging energy and water demands to power AI systems.
The social implications are particularly severe for women and young people. Studies show jobs held by women are almost twice as likely to be automated. Youth aged 22–25 are already seeing fewer opportunities in AI-heavy industries, endangering their career paths before they even begin. In South Asia, women are up to 40% less likely than men to own a smartphone—limiting their access to the AI-driven digital economy. Indigenous and rural communities, often absent from the datasets that train AI systems, face an added risk of exclusion and bias.
Transformative Potential—If Managed Responsibly
Still, there are inspiring signs of progress. Many cities in the region are already using AI to make public services smarter and more responsive. Bangkok’s Traffy Fondue platform allows residents to report local issues digitally—nearly 600,000 so far—making city management more efficient. Singapore’s Moments of Life app has cut down the time new parents spend on paperwork from two hours to just fifteen minutes. And in Beijing, AI-driven “digital twins” are aiding city planners in flood prevention and infrastructure design.
These examples highlight AI’s transformative capacity for governance and citizen engagement. Yet only a handful of countries currently have comprehensive AI laws in place. Alarmingly, experts predict that by 2027, over 40% of AI-related data breaches could arise from the misuse of generative AI technologies. This underscores the urgent need for strong regulatory and ethical frameworks.
Capability: The Defining Divide
“The great fault line of the AI age is capability,” said Philip Schellekens, UNDP’s Chief Economist for Asia and the Pacific. Countries that strengthen their digital skills, computing capabilities, and institutional governance will be poised to thrive. Those that do not risk being left even farther behind.
The UNDP report does not simply sound the alarm—it calls for a roadmap toward shared progress. Countries must collaborate to develop inclusive policies, invest in education and infrastructure, and ensure that AI serves as a tool for equality rather than exclusion.
But here’s the real question—can global cooperation keep up with AI’s exponential pace? Or are we watching a new chapter of inequality unfold right before our eyes? Share your thoughts—does AI represent a bridge to the future or a wall dividing it?
