Human development progress is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown, according to a new report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report reveals that the global Human Development Index (HDI) has shown unexpectedly weak progress, with the smallest increase since 1990, excluding the crisis years of 2020-2021.
The HDI measures development progress across indicators such as health, education, and income levels. Projections for 2024 reveal stalled progress on the HDI in all regions worldwide. Moreover, inequalities between rich and poor countries continue to widen, with the report noting that development challenges for countries with the lowest HDI scores are especially severe.
However, the report highlights the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reignite development. According to a global survey, 60% of people believe AI will create new job opportunities, and 70% in low- and medium-HDI countries expect AI to increase productivity. Two-thirds of respondents in these countries anticipate using AI in education, health, or work within the next year.
The report advocates for a human-centered approach to AI, emphasizing its potential to fundamentally redesign approaches to development. To harness the benefits of AI, the report outlines three critical areas for action:
Building an Economy with Human-AI Collaboration
The world needs to build an economy where people collaborate with AI rather than compete against it. This requires developing policies that promote AI adoption while ensuring workers' rights and improving job quality.
