Geneva: Millions of jobs across Asia are at risk as the AI industry flourishes, leaving poorer nations struggling with basic digital access and literacy, according to UN economists. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) warned that AI adoption could replicate the 19th-century industrialization divide, creating disparities between wealthy and impoverished countries.
According to EMM, UNDP Chief Economist Philip Schellekens highlighted that nations investing in skills, computing power, and governance will reap AI benefits, while others may fall behind. The report pointed out that women and young adults are most vulnerable to AI-induced workplace changes, potentially hindering improvements in health, education, and income.
The technology is projected to contribute nearly $1 trillion in economic gains across Asia in the next decade. The UN agency noted that while countries like China, Singapore, and South Korea have significantly benefited from AI, entry-level workers in South Asian nations face “significant exposure” to the ongoing automation changes.
UNDP emphasized the need for ethical AI deployment to prevent a job crisis, urging governments to consider inclusivity in AI implementation. Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, highlighted the disparities in AI adoption, stressing the rapid emergence of gaps between AI innovators and those affected by its advancement.
For nations like Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam, the focus remains on utilizing basic voice-based tools for frontline workers, given limited infrastructure. The Asia-Pacific region, home to over 55% of the global population, is at the forefront of the AI transition, hosting a significant portion of global AI users and innovation.
UNDP reported that the region could see a two-percentage-point increase in annual GDP growth and a five percent productivity boost in sectors like health and finance due to AI. The disparity in AI adoption is evident, with Afghanistan’s average income being 200 times lower than Singapore’s, explaining the concentration of AI advancements in wealthier nations.
Philip Schellekens remarked on the region’s inequality, stating, “We’re not starting from a level playing field in this region; this is the most unequal region in the whole world.”