At the UNCTAD World Investment Forum, ITU deputy secretary-general Tomas Lamanauskas warned that AI could turn the digital divide into an opportunity divide, deepening global inequality. He noted Africa and Latin America hold only 3.3% of global data-centre capacity and 2.2 billion people lack internet, while bridging the gap needs an estimated $2.8 trillion by 2030.
What Happened
On 25 October 2026, the deputy secretary‑general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Tomas Lamanauskas, warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could deepen global inequality. Speaking at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Forum in Doha, Qatar, he said, “There is a risk … I think the AI divide is really the big concern because it’s really not just about the digital divide.”
Lamanauskas highlighted that AI could power health, education, public services, industries, agriculture and trade. “So a great divide could really mean an opportunity divide, and really could deepen the socioeconomic divide,” he added. He cited the stark digital infrastructure gap: Africa and Latin America together account for only 3.3 percent of global data‑centre capacity, while 2.2 billion people worldwide lack internet access.
He referenced a December 2025 UN Development Programme (UNDP) report that warned AI might reverse decades of progress in narrowing economic disparities between nations. Bridging the infrastructure gap would require an estimated $2.8 trillion in investment by 2030.
Lamanauskas also noted that approximately 29 percent of working‑age people in developed countries use generative AI, compared with 16 percent in developing nations. “This actually affects your ability to be productive and to be part of job‑market opportunities,” he said.
He acknowledged concerns about AI‑driven job losses, citing estimates that the technology could displace 90 million jobs but create 170 million new ones. Even with a net positive impact, many will experience disruption, as an estimated 40 percent of workplace skills could change by 2030.
According to the 2026 International AI Safety Report released in February, about one billion people use AI for a variety of tasks, including seeking medical guidance and writing. The report estimated that roughly 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies and 40 percent in emerging economies could be exposed to AI‑related impacts.
Fazl Barez, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford specialising in AI safety and governance, said, “The fears are real,” but cautioned that it was important to distinguish between AI “automating tasks and replacing entire jobs.”
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Internet‑access deficit | 2.2 billion people worldwide |
| Skill change by 2030 | 40 percent of workplace skills |
What This Means For You
If you work in a developing country, the 16 percent generative‑AI usage figure suggests you may be at a competitive disadvantage. Consider investing in AI literacy programs for your team to close that gap.
For businesses operating in Africa or Latin America, the 3.3 percent data‑centre capacity statistic indicates a need to partner with cloud providers that can deliver low‑latency AI services, or to build local edge infrastructure.
If you are a policy maker, the $2.8 trillion investment estimate should inform national budgets. Prioritising AI‑ready broadband could unlock the productivity gains Lamanauskas describes.
For workers in sectors likely to be affected by the 40 percent skill‑change projection, upskilling in AI‑related competencies could mitigate displacement risks.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- How the $2.8 trillion investment will be distributed across regions and sectors.
- Specific strategies that developed countries are using to increase generative‑AI adoption among developing‑country workers.
- Long‑term effects of the projected 90 million job displacements on social safety nets.
- Detailed breakdown of which job categories will see the most AI exposure in emerging economies.
Why It Matters
This warning underscores that AI is not merely a technological shift but a socio‑economic one. If the opportunity divide persists, the very tools that could lift millions out of poverty may instead entrench existing disparities. Policymakers, businesses and workers must act now to ensure that AI’s benefits are shared globally.
Key Takeaway
- AI could widen the gap between rich and poor countries, turning a digital divide into an opportunity divide.
- Developing nations face a 3.3 percent data‑centre capacity shortfall and 2.2 billion people without internet.
- Bridging this gap requires $2.8 trillion in investment by 2030.
- Generative‑AI usage is 29 percent in developed, 16 percent in developing economies, affecting productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN’s estimate for AI‑related job displacement?
The UNDP report cited by Lamanauskas estimates that AI could displace 90 million jobs.
How many new jobs could AI create?
Lamanauskas said AI could create 170 million new jobs.
What percentage of jobs in advanced economies could be affected by AI?
The 2026 International AI Safety Report estimates that about 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies could be exposed to AI‑related impacts.
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