UN official warns AI could deepen global inequality due to access gaps

Tomas Lamanauskas, deputy secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency, warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities globally, according to Al Jazeera.

Speaking at the UN Conference on Trade and Development World Investment Forum in Doha, Qatar, Lamanauskas emphasized that unequal access to AI infrastructure and technology means poorer nations may be left behind in benefiting from AI advancements.

He noted that the divide is not just digital but an 'opportunity divide' that could deepen socioeconomic gaps, affecting sectors like health, education, public services, industries, agriculture, and trade.

Lamanauskas pointed to disparities in digital infrastructure, highlighting that Africa and Latin America together hold only 3.3 percent of global data center capacity, and that 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack internet access.

A 2025 UN Development Programme report also cautioned that AI could reverse progress in reducing economic disparities, especially in countries with unreliable power, limited connectivity, and insufficient technological skills.

Bridging this digital infrastructure gap is estimated to require an investment of $2.8 trillion, underscoring the scale of the challenge in ensuring equitable AI benefits.