Human Development 2.0: Can We Program Progress for All in the Age of AI?

The 2025 Human Development Report, which has been released today, carries an urgent message: global human development is growing at its slowest rate in 35 years and artificial intelligence (AI) is at once a system of hope and a system of division. 

 

The report finds that global growth in the Human Development Index (HDI)—a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and income—has dropped to less than half of the growth rate experienced in the 1990s, excluding the collapse periods of 2020-2021. The Covid-19 pandemic caused significant setbacks to human development—particularly for low- and middle-income countries—wiping out years of progress and throwing millions back into poverty.

 

Once lauded as a tool of transformative benefit for humans, AI now sits at a decision point. Although AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, education, and agriculture, and more, the benefits of AI have yet to be fully realized in many low- and middle-income contexts. Existing infrastructure, cost implications, and lack of skilled workers in various developing countries will only increase inequities between rich and poor. Specifically, there is an estimated 26 percent exposure to AI for low- and middle-income countries compared to 60 percent for high-income countries.

 

The report warns that AI could widen unemployment and income inequality without inclusive, human-centered approaches. For example, in countries such as India, where a large young labor pool is at risk for displacement from AI robotics in the workplace, it remains unknown how people will be supported. However, there is hope that if investments in infrastructure, skills, and equitable access to AI can be acquired, AI can reconnect sustainable development and also address long-anticipated divides.

 

Thus, the report urges world policymakers to make inclusivity over inequality a priority and calls upon the world to have bold action, partnerships, and accountability for transitioning our technologies to uplift humankind and all levels of society. Today’s narrow decisions will have an influence on whether AI can facilitate bridges for progress, or it ends up as barriers to human development.

 

Source: Telangana Today