AI growth threatens millions of jobs across Asia
China and Singapore are reaping benefits, while poorer nations struggle with basic digital access and skills gaps.
UN economists warned millions of jobs in Asia could be at risk as AI widens the gap between digitally advanced nations and those lacking basic access and skills. The report compared the AI revolution to 19th-century industrialisation, which created a wealthy few and left many behind.
Women and young adults face the most significant threat from AI in the workplace, while the benefits in health, education, and income are unevenly distributed.
Countries such as China, Singapore, and South Korea have invested heavily in AI and reaped significant benefits. Still, entry-level workers in many South Asian nations remain highly vulnerable to automation and technological advancements.
The UN Development Programme urged governments to consider ethical deployment and inclusivity when implementing AI. Countries such as Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam are focusing on developing simple digital tools to help health workers and farmers who lack reliable internet access.
AI could generate nearly $1 trillion in economic gains across Asia over the next decade, boosting regional GDP growth by about two percentage points. Income disparities mean AI benefits remain concentrated in wealthy countries, leaving poorer nations at a disadvantage.
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