UN official warns AI could ‘deepen’ global inequality
News Source
•Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:38:52 +0000
📰 What Happened
A UN official has warned that unequal access to AI could make global inequality much worse. Tomas Lamanauskas is deputy secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union. He spoke to Al Jazeera about the risk. The interview took place at the 9th World Investment Forum in Qatar. He said some countries have the money, networks and skills to use AI. Others do not.
🔍 The Backstory
The ITU is the UN agency that deals with information and communication technology. Its leaders argue that internet access is a development issue, not just a tech one. AI tools need fast networks, cheap power and trained workers. Many poorer countries lack all three. The forum in Doha brought governments and investors together to talk about closing that gap.
🎯 Why It Matters
If only rich countries can use AI, the gains stay with them. Poorer countries could slip further behind in health, schools and jobs.
A UN official has warned that unequal access to AI could make global inequality much worse. Tomas Lamanauskas is deputy secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union. He spoke to Al Jazeera about the risk. The interview took place at the 9th World Investment Forum in Qatar. He said some countries have the money, networks and skills to use AI. Others do not.
The ITU is the UN agency that deals with information and communication technology. Its leaders argue that internet access is a development issue, not just a tech one. AI tools need fast networks, cheap power and trained workers. Many poorer countries lack all three. The forum in Doha brought governments and investors together to talk about closing that gap.
If only rich countries can use AI, the gains stay with them. Poorer countries could slip further behind in health, schools and jobs.