AI’s impact could worsen gaps between world’s rich and poor, a UN report says
By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer BANGKOK AP Behind the hoopla over the promise of artificial intelligence lay complex realities including how such instrument might affect people already disadvantaged in a data-driven world Related Articles How to prepare for the next ruling body shutdown Wall Street holds stronger as bond yields and bitcoin stabilize Michael and Susan Dell pump B into Trump accounts for children Bitcoin bites the dust Here s why everyone s talking about a K-shaped business sector A new assessment by the United Nations Advance Campaign notes most of of the gains from AI are likely to be reaped by wealthy nations unless actions are taken to use its power to help close gaps in access to basic demands as well as such advanced know-how The document published Tuesday likens the situation to the Great Divergence of the industrial revolution when countless Western countries saw rapid modernization while others fell behind Questions over how companies and other institutions will use AI are a near universal concern given its probable to change or replace certain jobs done by people with computers and robots But while much of the attention devoted to AI focuses on productivity competitiveness and development the more fundamental question is what it will mean for human lives the authors note We tend to overemphasize the role of instrument commented Michael Muthukrishna of the London School of Economics the account s main author explained reporters We need to ensure it s not machinery first but it s people first he reported speaking by video at the account s launch in Bangkok The peril of exclusion is an issue for communities where bulk people are still struggling to access skills electric power and internet connectivity for older people for people displaced by war civil conflict and weather disasters At the same time such people may be invisible in information that will not take them into account the document revealed As a general-purpose system AI can lift productivity spark new industries and help latecomers catch up the account says Better advice on farming analysis of X-rays within seconds and faster medicinal diagnoses more effective weather forecasts and damage assessments hold promise for rural communities and areas prone to natural disasters AI systems that analyze poverty vitality and accident risks enable faster fairer and more transparent decisions turning input into continuous learning and residents value it says Still even in wealthy nations like the United States the likely for facts centers to devour too large a share of electricity and water has raised concerns Ramping up power generation to meet higher demand may hinder progress in limiting the emissions of carbon from burning fossil fuels that contribute to global warming while also causing strength hazards The innovation raises ethical privacy and cybersecurity concerns researchers have revealed hackers using AI to automate portions of cyberattacks There also is the issue of deepfakes that can misinform or facilitate criminal activity Asian nations including China Japan South Korea and Singapore are well placed to take advantage of AI tools the analysis notes while places like Afghanistan the Maldives and Myanmar lack skills reliable power and other materials needed to tap into the computing promising of AI Inequalities between regions within countries mean specific places even in advanced economies are prone to be left behind About a quarter of the Asia-Pacific region lacks online access the account says If such gaps are not closed numerous millions may be excluded from the kinds of devices digital payment systems digital IDs and tuition and skills that are required to participate fully in the global financial system falling further behind mentioned Philip Schellekens the UNDP s chief economist for the Asia Pacific Other risks include misinformation and disinformation surveillance that violates rights to privacy and systems that can act as black boxes reinforcing biases against minorities or other groups So transparency and effective regulations are crucial guardrails for ensuring AI is used in fair and accountable procedures he mentioned We believe we need more balance less hysteria and hype Schellekens disclosed AI is becoming essential for modern life like electricity roads and now the internet so governments need to invest more in digital infrastructure schooling and training fair competition and social protections the account says The goal it says is to democratize access to AI so that every country and neighborhood can benefit while protecting those the greater part at vulnerability from disruption
