The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) expects artificial intelligence (AI) to reach USD 4.8 trillion in market value by 2033, becoming a prominent force in digital transformation. However, it noted that access to AI infrastructure and expertise remains concentrated in a few economies.
UNCTAD Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan, said, "Less than one-third of developing countries have AI strategies. AI is shaping the world’s economic future, yet 118 countries (mostly in the Global South) are absent from major AI governance discussions.”
UNCTAD emphasized that developing economies must invest in AI infrastructure, data, and skills to harness its full potential.
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UNCTAD’s Technology and Innovation Report 2025 warned that while AI can be a powerful tool for progress, it is not inherently inclusive. Countries should act now and invest in digital infrastructure, build new capabilities, and strengthen AI governance to harness the potential of AI for sustainable development.
Grynspan also underlined the importance of ensuring people are at the center of AI development, calling for stronger international cooperation to “shift the focus from technology to people, enabling countries to co-create a global artificial intelligence framework.”
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The report also indicated that just 100 firms, mainly in the US and China, account for 40% of global corporate research and development (R&D) spending. Leading tech giants, such as Apple, NVIDIA, and Microsoft, each have a market value of around USD 3 trillion, rivalling the gross domestic product (GDP) of the whole African continent.
The report also added that AI not only replaces jobs; it can also create new industries and empower workers. To set up effective AI policies, countries should consider three key leverage points: infrastructure, data, and skills. Strategic positioning in these areas will determine whether nations can adopt AI effectively, foster local innovation, and align AI development with their socioeconomic needs.
The 2025 edition of the Technology and Innovation Report, entitled: Inclusive artificial intelligence for development, aims to guide policymakers through the complex AI landscape and support them in designing science, technology and innovation policies that foster inclusive and equitable technological progress. The report will be launched on 7 April
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