For many years, global human development showed consistent progress, and experts from the United Nations had once forecasted that by 2030, people worldwide would experience substantial improvements in their quality of life. However, recent events have changed that outlook. A series of major disruptions—most notably the COVID-19 pandemic—have caused setbacks in development across all parts of the world.
The latest Human Development Report from the UN Development Program (UNDP) paints a concerning picture. For the fourth straight year, the gap between wealthy and struggling nations has grown. Added to that, international pressures like growing trade conflicts and national debts are making it harder for governments to invest in vital public services.
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner warned that this ongoing slowdown poses a serious risk to development efforts worldwide. He suggested that if the lack of momentum continues, the goals set for 2030 may be delayed by decades. The result could be a more unstable and fragmented world, increasingly exposed to economic and environmental crises.
Still, the report does offer a note of hope, particularly around the rapid advancement of AI. It highlights how quickly AI tools, many of them free or affordable, are being adopted by individuals and businesses. UNDP researchers conducted a global survey and found that roughly 60% of people believe AI will enhance their work and bring new opportunities.
Support for AI was especially strong among those living in countries with lower or moderate development levels. About 70% of respondents from these areas expect that AI will help them work more efficiently. Two out of three also said they plan to use AI in areas like healthcare and education within the next 12 months.
The report outlines steps to make sure AI benefits society as a whole. These include updating healthcare and educational systems, encouraging human-AI collaboration instead of competition, and ensuring that people remain central in the development and use of AI technologies.
Pedro Conceição, who heads the Human Development Report Office, stressed that decisions made now will shape how the technology affects future generations. With thoughtful planning and policies that put people first, AI has the potential to open up new avenues for learning and growth.
The report concludes that AI will mirror the societies that create it. It’s not an independent force but one shaped by human values and existing social divides. To prevent falling short of development goals, the UNDP is calling for stronger international cooperation, ethical AI governance, and a renewed focus on fairness, sustainability, and dignity.
Every AI industry player, including entities like Thumzup Media Corp. (NASDAQ: TZUP), can do every bit they can to steer AI towards making a bigger contribution to human development around the world.
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