UN Warns AI Could Widen Global Inequality, Urges Urgent Governance

The United Nations and its officials have repeatedly warned that the rapid and uneven advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) risks significantly exacerbating global inequality, potentially creating a “Next Great Divergence” between nations[6][8][9][10]. This concern stems from the unequal distribution of AI capabilities and the concentration of power among a few countries and corporations.

This potential widening of the gap could deepen existing disparities in income, opportunity, security, and sovereignty, affecting economic performance and human capabilities worldwide[9][10]. Without inclusive global governance and international cooperation, the benefits of AI may not reach all nations, potentially reversing decades of progress in development.

What the records show

A December 2025 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, titled “The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries,” highlighted AI's potential to increase gaps in economic performance, people's skill sets, and governing systems[9][10]. The report indicated that while AI offers new development avenues, countries start from highly uneven positions to benefit from and manage the technology[10]. Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, stated that “AI is racing ahead, and many countries are still at the starting line”[10].

Further warnings came from the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. Its preliminary report, released on July 1, 2026, cautioned that the window for global governance is closing fast[3][22][23]. The panel noted that governance remains fragmented, with many countries lacking the capacity to assess or shape advanced AI systems, leaving them reliant on technologies they cannot fully understand or control[22]. The report emphasized that developments in AI are outpacing scientific understanding and government policy, meaning there are no guarantees the technology will not cause catastrophic harm[22]. The panel also warned that the window to establish effective global oversight remains open, but “may not stay that way for much longer”[25].

The timeline

On August 26, 2025, the UN General Assembly established two new mechanisms to strengthen international cooperation on AI governance: the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance[5]. These mechanisms aim to connect cutting-edge AI research with policymaking to provide evidence-based input for member states[5].

On December 2, 2025, the UNDP released its comprehensive study, “The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries,” examining how AI might reinforce or reduce inequalities[6][10].

In early February 2026, UN Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed that “AI is moving at the speed of light” and that “no country can see the full picture alone,” calling for shared understandings and cooperation[4]. Guterres also attended the First Meeting of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI on March 3, 2026[2].

The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI released its preliminary report on July 1, 2026, marking a threshold in AI governance discussions[3].

What changed and for whom

In recent decades, factors like trade, technology, and development have helped close gaps between states, leading to gains in income, health, and education[9]. However, the UN reports suggest that AI, if unmanaged, could reverse these trends, creating a new