Is AI Only The Best Friend of Elites?

From the invention of the spinning wheel to the advent of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, the world has witnessed impeccable scientific evolution. While AI is undoubtedly a technological marvel of our time, it’s also the most debatable one regarding – Who truly does it side with?!

Hence, in our second edition of Let’s Talk Tech, we shall delve into this pressing question, examining AI’s role in shaping economies, its accessibility across the different social strata, and how the dichotomy of privilege vs. under-privilege impacts the AI narrative, both on the global scale and within our country, India. Not only does this edition explore the disparities in AI adoption but also the barriers, breakthroughs, and what it will take to establish equitable access to AI’s benefits for all of humankind.???

AI Is Growing…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it's here and it’s growing exponentially. From transforming industries to enhancing everyday experiences with IoT, AI has the potential to redefine the global economy.?

• As per a forecast by IDC, AI spending In India is projected to reach $6 billion by 2027, growing at an impressive 33.7% CAGR (2022-2027).?
• The PwC report highlights that globally the AI market is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.?

These statistics underscore a wave of innovation that promises to reshape industries across the globe, especially in healthcare, education, and finance, where AI’s transformative impact is already being felt.

As this technological revolution gains momentum, the question arises: who stands to benefit from this progress? While AI is expanding at a rapid rate, its benefits are not equally distributed. Developed nations across the globe are taking the lead in AI adoption, but for many developing countries, the opportunity to leverage AI is still a distant dream.

Statistics Tells The Story

AI’s journey over the years has been extraordinary. It has moved from niche research to a tool that drives productivity, fuels innovations, and even creates new industries. But as AI expands, how is its growth distributed across regions? Here are some key statistics that tell the story of AI’s rapid rise:

• ?Generative AI: 76% of Indian enterprises are already exploring Generative AI (GenAI) through proofs of concept or investment plans.
• ?By 2025, 40% of global service engagements are expected to include GenAI-enabled delivery.

AI: A Double-Edged Sword?

AI is both an opportunity and a challenge! The World Economic Forum (WEF) in its annual meeting highlighted the growing AI divide between the Global North and Global South. While countries like the USA, China, and members of the European Union (EU) are racing ahead with AI adoption, nations in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia face significant hurdles.

[Data Source: IMF’s AI Preparedness Index]?

As per the WEF report:

The Global North: Leading the AI Charge

Countries like the United States, China, and members of the European Union are not just adopting AI—they are driving its development. These regions are heavily investing in research, AI infrastructure, and AI-powered solutions, which are accelerating their economic growth and technological innovation.?

— For instance, the U.S.A. is home to some of the largest players in the AI space, such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, who are using AI to optimize supply chains, enhance customer service, and develop autonomous technologies.?

— Similarly, China is aggressively pursuing AI through its ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, which has set ambitious goals to become a global leader in AI and related fields.?

— In the European Union, countries like the UK, Germany, and France are integrating AI into industries ranging from automotive (AI for self-driving cars) to agriculture (AI for smart farming). The European Commission has prioritized AI development, pledging funds to foster ethical AI development and ensure that AI benefits the public good.

The Global South: Struggling to Catch Up

Countries in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia are facing immense barriers that prevent them from fully participating in the AI revolution. They are grappling with fundamental challenges that hinder their ability to integrate AI into their economies. Even in the 21st century, when technology is evolving exponentially each day, people in underdeveloped or developing countries are still struggling to?

The main factors are:

• Lack of Reliable Internet Access: Most of the AI tools are cloud-based, thus making it highly dependent on Internet connectivity, which itself is a rare to quite recent phenomenon in most developing countries.?
• Lack of Computing Infrastructure: Advanced AI requires high-precision processing units, cloud storage for data handling, and easily accessible computational tools, which is not possible in developing or underdeveloped countries. Besides, the setup of such advanced technology requires intensive capital and energy demand.?
• Limited Investments in AI: Governments and public authorities in such nations primarily focus on fulfilling the basic socio-economic needs of the people, such as poverty alleviation, healthcare and education, thus leaving little to no room for investment in advanced technologies.?
• Skill Gaps: Considering AI is quite the latest and most advanced tech, the demographic in developing nations is not quite adept with abilities to develop or deploy the same. Besides, due to limited resources and opportunities, even a few skilled brains are leaving for developed nations, i.e., Brain Drain.
• Socio-Economic Disparity: On an intra-nation level as well, the income disparity is only deepening the accessibility divide in advanced AI technologies. Only a few affluent individuals and companies are able to afford the AI tools, leaving the remaining population devoid of the advantages.?

This disparity results in a widening economic gap, with the Global North gaining a larger share of the socio-economic benefits of AI, while the Global South risks being left behind in the race for AI-driven progress.

AI Use Cases: Comparing Developed vs Developing Nations

To better understand the gap in AI adoption, let’s compare its use cases in developed and developing nations.

The disparity is clear! While AI is enhancing productivity and efficiency in developed nations, developing countries are still grappling with fundamental issues such as access to AI resources and technological infrastructure.

AI in India: A Look, Within!?

In India, the growth of AI is undeniable. However, disparities in access still remain, particularly across urban and rural divides. Urban India is rapidly adopting AI across various sectors such as healthcare, finance, and education, while rural India is struggling with limited access to essential AI-related skills and resources.

Key Challenges Hindering Equitable AI Accessibility in India

Economic Disparity:?

• Urban India:

? Cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai are hubs for AI research, development, and investment.

? These cities attract significant foreign and domestic investments in AI startups and services.

• Rural India:

? Many regions still rely on traditional agriculture and lack the economic resources for advanced technology.

? AI-driven agricultural tools (e.g., predictive weather analytics or automated crop management) are mostly limited to wealthier farming regions.

? Lack of financial capital and technological literacy hampers AI adoption in poorer rural communities.

Healthcare Disparity:?

Urban India benefits from AI-driven diagnostics, remote monitoring, and predictive algorithms, while rural areas still struggle with basic healthcare infrastructure. Rural areas lack access to AI-enhanced telemedicine and health monitoring devices, resulting in outdated healthcare practices.

Internet Access:

• As per the WEF report, over 2.7 billion people globally lack internet access, and India is no exception with around 45% of the population not having access to the Internet as of 2023, says - the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar’s joint study
• A large portion of India’s rural population (more than half) lacks reliable, high-speed internet, disconnecting themselves from the digital economy, online education, AI-powered public services, and so on.?
• Poor connectivity affects the use of AI tools that require reliable internet, such as cloud-based AI models and machine learning platforms.

Lack of Infrastructure:

• Even where internet access is available, infrastructure remains a significant barrier. Basic computing devices, smartphones, and data storage capabilities are scarce in rural areas. Many households in rural India live below the poverty line and cannot afford smartphones or computers.
• In Urban India, while technology access is better in cities, the economic divide remains. The cost of owning personal computing devices (e.g., laptops, smartphones, and tablets) is still prohibitive for many lower-income families in underprivileged urban communities. As a result, these families cannot access AI-powered educational resources or job opportunities in the AI sector that require digital literacy.
• Concerning rural education, the schools and universities in rural regions often lack the infrastructure to teach AI technologies. Urban private institutions are revolutionizing education with AI-based learning, while many public schools in rural India still rely on outdated curricula and lack resources to introduce AI-related subjects. Students in rural India have limited exposure to digital literacy and AI skills.

These barriers mean that while India is poised for growth in AI, its benefits are tough to reach everyone.

Overcoming Barriers: What Can Be Done?

For AI to truly benefit everyone, especially those in underprivileged communities, several initiatives can be implemented:

1. Affordable AI Resources: Ensuring that AI technologies are affordable and accessible for all. This includes making AI-powered tools available in schools, rural areas, and underserved regions.
2. Internet Access: Expanding internet connectivity to rural and remote areas through government policies and private partnerships.
3. Skill Development: Investing in AI education and skill development to train individuals from all backgrounds to use AI tools effectively.
4. Policy Frameworks: Governments must implement inclusive AI policies that prioritize equitable access to AI technologies and address disparities in access.

What’s Being Done to Address These Challenges?

To address these challenges, India’s government and private sector have started to take action. The AIForAll initiative is one such example, aiming to make AI education and tools accessible to the masses. Additionally, initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) are providing digital literacy to rural Indians, empowering them to participate in the digital economy and use AI in their daily lives. Initiatives like AI SAMARTH, which focuses on upskilling underserved populations, and innovations targeting low-cost solutions for rural markets, offer hope.

However, for truly equitable AI access to become a reality, the government, private sector, and civil society must work together to overcome these barriers. Investment in infrastructure, such as expanding internet connectivity and providing affordable AI tools, is crucial. Additionally, it is vital to develop AI education programs that are accessible to people in every corner of the country, ensuring that no one is left behind in this AI-driven future.

India’s Step Forward: AIForAll

In the WEF report, India’s proactive initiative AIForAll to bridge the AI gap and democratize AI access and education has been highlighted as a change coming in the Global South. The initiative focuses on integrating AI into various sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education, to empower the masses and reduce inequality. Here’s how AI is already being utilized in India:

• AI in Healthcare: AI is being used to improve diagnostics, provide telemedicine solutions, and enhance healthcare accessibility in rural areas.
• AI in Agriculture: AI-powered solutions help farmers optimize crop yields, predict weather patterns, and access real-time market data.
• AI in Education: India is integrating AI into the education system to offer personalized learning experiences, bridging the gap between rural and urban education.

Conclusion: Bridging the AI Divide

While AI promises to be a game-changer, its benefits will only be realized if equitable access becomes a priority. It’s essential to address the accessibility barriers faced by underserved communities, including internet access, affordable resources, and educational tools. Only then can AI become a true force for good—bridging divides, empowering individuals, and creating opportunities for all.

The future of AI should not be about who gets ahead—it should be about who gets included.