Will artificial intelligence widen inequality?
Will artificial intelligence widen inequality?
Publish Date: 2026-03-06 14:04:00
Source Domain: www.thedailystar.net
- The article highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to both boost and disrupt economies, especially in developing regions.
- The UNDP Regional Human Development Report (RHDR) warns that without decisive actions, weaker developing countries risk being left behind due to their lack of capability to harness AI benefits while mitigating its disruptions.
- AI is emerging amidst increasing socioeconomic disparities, raising concerns about whether past trends of initially rising inequality before benefits from technological advances might repeat.
- The report advocates for embedding equity in AI policymaking, emphasizing that AI should enhance human capabilities and serve the people, rather than simply redistributing the benefits of AI later on.
- The article underscores the importance of addressing existing deficits in human, institutional, and financial capital to provide equal opportunities for all within the context of AI.
- It suggests that the Asia-Pacific region will serve as a testing ground for whether AI-led development leads to convergence or drives countries further apart in terms of development outcomes.
- It stresses the need for Bangladesh to align its AI agenda with the needs of its people, particularly in narrowing the digital gap prevalent across rural areas, income groups, and gender.
- Education and training systems must adapt to rapid technological changes driven by AI, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning to prepare for future job market shifts.
- AI systems in public services should be transparent, subject to scrutiny, and contain mechanisms for error correction and bias management to maintain public trust.
- Bangladesh is poised to play a critical role in championing responsible AI for regional prosperity and advocating for minimum standards and collective safeguards for human-centric AI development.
