Moreover, the report estimates a USD 4.8 trillion AI market by 2033, yet warns of uneven gains. Consequently, policymakers now debate how to close the emerging technological divide before it calcifies.

Industry leaders echo the alarm. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva described AI's labour impact as a tsunami at Davos 2026. Therefore, achieving meaningful AI Equity has become a priority for governments, firms, and civil society alike.

AI Divide Intensifies Globally

UNCTAD identifies three ingredients behind the widening Divide: compute, data, and skills. Moreover, the report warns that 118 countries, mainly in the Global South, lack representation in key governance forums. Consequently, rules risk being written without their priorities.

Market concentration amplifies the Divide. Roughly 40% of business-funded R&D came from just 100 companies in 2022. Additionally, one-third of the world’s top supercomputers operate in the United States, leaving limited capacity elsewhere. These asymmetries illustrate why achieving AI Equity demands systemic change.

• AI could impact 40% of employment worldwide, the report estimates.
• The AI market may reach USD 4.8 trillion by 2033.
• Only six national AI strategies come from least-developed countries.

Global Compute Concentration Data

Forty percent of top supercomputers reside in one country, according to recent measurements. Consequently, researchers in many regions rent costly cloud cycles for basic experimentation. Such imbalances hinder aspirations for AI Equity.

These figures capture the scale of the present Divide. Nevertheless, policy levers exist to reverse the trend. Therefore, attention now turns to the levers highlighted by UNCTAD.

UNCTAD's Three Leverage Points

Infrastructure, data, and skills form the backbone of inclusive innovation. Furthermore, UNCTAD urges nations to weave these elements into industrial, not purely digital, strategies. For example, public cloud hubs can democratize compute for universities and startups in the Global South. In contrast, exclusive partnerships between tech giants and rich states worsen the Divide.

Data governance sits equally high on the agenda. Moreover, interoperable public datasets can improve model performance for underrepresented languages and contexts. Meanwhile, robust privacy rules build public trust and attract investment. Equity considerations demand community participation in dataset design and access decisions.

Finally, workforce skills determine whether AI augments or displaces local talent. Consequently, the report recommends mass reskilling aligned with sectoral priorities, including agriculture and healthcare. Programmes should pair technical modules with ethical awareness to strengthen AI Equity.

Infrastructure, data, and skills represent actionable entry points. Nevertheless, labour dynamics amplify urgency. Accordingly, we next examine the employment outlook.

Labour Market Tsunami Warning

IMF projections show AI may influence 40% of global roles. However, exposure differs between augmentation and automation. Advanced economies face high exposure yet possess better safety nets. In contrast, many Global South workers remain vulnerable without comparable protections.

The report's labour analysis segments tasks into routine, cognitive, and social categories. Jobs heavy in routine duties face the greatest displacement risk. Moreover, youth unemployment may worsen if reskilling fails.

Governments can respond with active labour market programmes and portable benefits. Additionally, collective bargaining and wage insurance can ease transition pains. Such measures align with broader AI Equity goals.

The labour outlook underscores significant social stakes. Nevertheless, coordinated action can mitigate shocks. Next, we explore how shared infrastructure supports that action.

Shared Infrastructure For Equity

UN agencies propose CERN-style compute hubs to expand access. Moreover, regional data trusts could lower onboarding costs for emerging firms. Public facilities would lower capital barriers and foster AI Equity across regions.

Open standards for model disclosure complement infrastructure investments. Consequently, investors can compare social and environmental footprints. Equity analysts already track water usage and energy efficiency in data centres.

Financing remains the primary obstacle. In contrast, blended public-private models show promise in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, professionals can enhance expertise with the AI for Everyone™ certification.

Shared resources reduce cost barriers and close capability gaps. Therefore, transparent governance must accompany infrastructure. Subsequently, we outline concrete steps for stakeholders.

Certification Pathways For Professionals

Skills gaps can shrink rapidly when structured learning resources reach diverse audiences. Moreover, short modular courses translate complex theory into practice for non-engineers. Professionals seeking to champion AI Equity may pursue specialized micro-credentials. For instance, the AI for Everyone™ program covers fundamentals, ethics, and policy.

• Self paced lessons aligned with industry frameworks
• Case studies focused on Global South deployment
• Assessments emphasizing responsible innovation and Equity

Consequently, participants leave better prepared to advance AI Equity projects in their organizations.

Targeted training complements infrastructure and governance reforms. Therefore, stakeholder collaboration becomes the final piece. We close by summarizing the collective roadmap.

AI’s transformative promise remains undeniable. Nevertheless, structural gaps threaten to lock many economies into passive consumption. The 2025 UN analysis paints a clear picture of risks and remedies. Infrastructure, data, and skills anchor national responses. Additionally, international facilities and disclosure standards can spread capabilities and trust. Meanwhile, targeted learning such as the AI for Everyone™ credential empowers practitioners. Consequently, organizations that prioritize AI Equity will better navigate disruption and seize growth. Explore updated certifications and join the global conversation today.