UNDP report says India model can shape inclusive AI transition

Asia and the Pacific is the world’s “ultimate testing ground” for artificial intelligence, a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report titled ‘The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries’ notes.

However, India is well positioned to shape an inclusive AI transition as the country’s digital public infrastructure, expanding AI research ecosystem and large technology workforce provide a strong foundation to scale AI for public value, it adds.

According to the report, the region spans a 200-fold gap between its richest and poorest nations, with strong digital ecosystems in some countries and limited connectivity, skills and infrastructure in others. These divides shape who will benefit from AI - and who will bear its risks, it says.

The report showcases India as a country that can demonstrate how AI can be scaled safely and inclusively. It cites examples of India already applying AI to strengthen major public systems in health (AI-assisted chest X-ray interpretation for tuberculosis screening is identifying cases earlier and speeding up follow-up at lower cost, climate resilience (Deep-learning models in northeast India have improved flood prediction accuracy from 38 percent to 80 percent, providing up to 96 hours of advance warning), agriculture (The Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture platform uses open-source geospatial intelligence and machine learning to help authorities identify climate-vulnerable districts and guide climate-smart agriculture) and biodiversity (AI-enabled species identification and real-time alerts under Project Tiger are improving monitoring and reducing human-wildlife conflict).

Dr Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India, said, “India’s digital strengths give it a head start in building an AI future that works for everyone. AI is already strengthening public health, improving climate resilience and supporting better services. The real test is ensuring these gains reach every community. The choices we make now will determine whether AI narrows gaps or widens them. India can lead by ensuring its benefits reach rural communities, women and young people, not only those already connected.”

The report notes that Asia and Pacific region already accounts for more than half of global AI users and nearly 70 percent of AI patents and AI could raise GDP growth by about two percentage points and increase productivity by up to five percent in key sectors, though the gains may be uneven.