UN Warns: AI Could Impact 40% of Global Jobs and Widen Inequality
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AI could affect 40% of jobs and widen inequality between nations, UN warns
However, the agency also raised concerns that AI could affect 40% of jobs worldwide and worsen inequality between nations. Artificial intelligence is projected to reach $4.8 trillion in market value by 2033, but the technology's benefits remain highly concentrated, according to the U.N. Trade and
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AI could affect 40 per cent of global jobs, warns UN
Forty per cent of jobs globally could be impacted by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in the next decade, a new report from the United Nations said Artificial intelligence (AI) may impact 40 per cent of jobs worldwide, which could mean overall productivity growth but many could use their
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AI could impact 40 percent of jobs worldwide: UN
Geneva (AFP) - The global artificial intelligence market is projected to reach $4.8 trillion -- roughly the size of Germany's economy -- by 2033, the UN said Thursday, warning nearly half of jobs worldwide could be affected. While AI is transforming economies and creating vast opportunities, the
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UN warns AI boom could worsen global inequality and displace 40% of jobs
AI could inject $4.8 trillion into the global market by 2033, but the UN warns that the benefits of this technology remain concentrated in a few hands, potentially affecting 40% of jobs worldwide and increasing inequality between nations. The U.N. Trade and Development agency (UNCTAD) released a
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UN Warns That AI Growth Could Affect 4 in 10 Jobs Worldwide
The new report from UNCTAD suggests the vast scale of the AI market: it's predicted to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033 -- roughly the size of Germany's entire economy, CNBC reported. The problem with this is that a lot of that money will be "highly concentrated" in just a few regions simply because AI
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AI could impact 40% of jobs worldwide: UN
The global AI market is expected to be worth $4.8 trillion by 2033. This growth could affect 40 percent of jobs worldwide and widen existing inequalities, according to a UN report. Developing economies may be less able to benefit. The UN emphasizes investing in digital infrastructure, building
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AI's $4.8 Trillion Future: UN Warns Of Widening Digital Divide Without Urgent Ac...
The Technology and Innovation Report 2025, released on Thursday by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), sounds the alarm on growing inequality in the AI landscape and lays out a roadmap for countries to harness AI's potential. The report shows that just 100 companies, mostly in the
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A UN report projects AI market value to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033, but warns of potential job displacement and widening inequality between nations due to concentrated benefits in developed countries.
AI Market Projection and Global Impact
The United Nations Trade and Development agency (UNCTAD) has released a report projecting the artificial intelligence (AI) market to reach a staggering $4.8 trillion in value by 2033, roughly equivalent to the size of Germany's economy
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. This growth represents a significant leap from the current $2.5 trillion market for frontier technologies in 2023, with AI expected to become the leading technology in this sector3
.Job Displacement Concerns
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted in the report is the potential impact of AI on global employment. UNCTAD warns that AI could affect up to 40% of jobs worldwide
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. This impact is expected to be multifaceted:- Job replacement or complementation
- Deepening of automation
- Creation of new jobs in AI research and development
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Unlike previous waves of technological advancement that primarily affected blue-collar jobs, AI is projected to significantly impact knowledge-intensive sectors
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.Inequality and Concentration of Benefits
The report raises alarm about the concentration of AI benefits among a small number of companies and countries:
- 40% of global corporate R&D spending in AI is concentrated among just 100 firms, mainly in the U.S. and China
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- The U.S. and China produce one-third of peer-reviewed AI articles and two-thirds of AI patents
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- Tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft have a combined market value rivaling the GDP of the entire African continent
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This concentration threatens to widen technological divides and leave many nations, particularly in the Global South, at risk of missing out on AI's benefits
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.Related Stories
Global Governance and Inclusion
UNCTAD emphasizes the need for stronger international cooperation to ensure AI serves global progress. The report notes that 118 countries, mostly from the Global South, are absent from major AI governance discussions
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. To address this, UNCTAD recommends:- Building a shared global facility for AI tools and computing power
- Investing in reliable internet connections in developing countries
- Making high-quality datasets available for AI training
- Developing education systems that provide necessary digital skills
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Potential Benefits and Recommendations
Despite the challenges, the report also highlights AI's potential to create new industries and empower workers
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. To harness these benefits, UNCTAD recommends:- Investing in digital infrastructure
- Building AI capabilities
- Strengthening AI governance
- Focusing on reskilling and upskilling workforce
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The agency stresses the importance of shifting focus from technology to people, enabling countries to co-create a global AI framework that promotes inclusive human development
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.References
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