Artificial intelligence keeps making headlines. Between hopes of groundbreaking innovation and fears of societal upheaval, this technology is polarizing opinions.
In a recent report, the United Nations (UN) sounds the alarm: AI could profoundly reshape the global economic and professional landscape in the years ahead.
But what are the real issues behind this rise in power? The Yiaho team set out to break it down to help you understand the UN’s warning about AI.
AI’s impact on the job market: 40% of jobs at risk?
One of the report’s central points concerns AI’s effects on employment. Experts estimate that nearly 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected, whether through automation or a redefinition of tasks.
This figure, reported by sources such as CNBC, illustrates the scale of the challenge. Sectors like logistics, industrial production, and administrative services are particularly vulnerable.
It’s true that some jobs, such as in the legal field, can be replaced by AI.
But AI isn’t just about replacing jobs: it could also create new opportunities, provided workers are trained to adapt. The UN is therefore calling for a proactive transition to avoid a wave of technological unemployment.
AI and global inequalities: An alarming concentration of resources?
The AI economy is growing at a breakneck pace. By 2033, its market could be worth $4.8 trillion—equivalent to Germany’s current GDP. Yet this wealth is far from being shared fairly.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), around 40% of global investment in AI research and development (R&D) is concentrated in about a hundred companies, mostly based in China and the United States.
This dominance leaves dozens of nations—especially more than 110 countries in the Global South—out of the game.
The result: a heightened risk of a technological divide, where only a few players benefit from advances while others fall further behind.
Also read on this topic: Will an artificial intelligence replace teachers in a school in the United States?
National strategies on AI: Ethics or deregulation?
Faced with the rise of AI, countries are adopting contrasting stances.
France, for example, champions a humanist vision, advocating ethical, inclusive artificial intelligence that is open to everyone. This position aligns with European initiatives such as the AI Regulation (AI Act), adopted in 2024, which aims to regulate its use.
By contrast, the United States is betting on a more liberal approach, prioritizing competitiveness and innovation, sometimes at the expense of strict regulation. This includes the “Stargate” project launched by Donald Trump with OpenAI.
This divergence raises a key question: doesn’t the lack of a unified global framework risk amplifying imbalances between wealthy and less developed nations?
AI, a threat to democracy? The UN’s warning
Beyond the economy, the UN is concerned about AI’s social and political implications. Without oversight, this technology could become a tool for mass surveillance or manipulation, weakening democracies.
Recent examples, such as the use of deepfakes in election campaigns or the mass collection of data by tech giants, reinforce these fears.
Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), warns: if AI’s benefits are concentrated in a few hands, social and economic inequalities could worsen, fueling frustration and instability.
AI opportunities: Toward shared prosperity?
Despite these warnings, the UN is not giving in to doom and gloom. It sees AI as having immense potential to accelerate scientific progress, improve healthcare, and help fight climate change.
For example, AI algorithms have already made it possible to predict natural disasters with greater accuracy in 2024, saving lives in vulnerable regions. To maximize these benefits, the organization proposes concrete steps: encourage open-source models, such as those developed by scientific communities (e.g., Hugging Face), and invest in digital infrastructure accessible to emerging countries.
How should AI be regulated? The solutions recommended by the UN
To prevent AI from becoming a factor of division, the UN is calling for inclusive global governance. This requires stronger cooperation between states, businesses, and civil society.
Among the recommendations:
- create international funds to train people for the jobs of tomorrow,
- establish universal ethical standards.
In 2025, events such as the Global Forum on Ethical AI, scheduled in Geneva, could lay the groundwork for such a framework. The goal? Make AI a driver of sustainable development rather than a source of geopolitical tensions.
The future of AI: Above all, a human challenge
Artificial intelligence is not just a technical feat: it challenges our ability to shape a fair future. The UN report reminds us that technology is neither good nor bad in itself; it all depends on how it is used.
As initiatives such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) gain influence, the challenge is clear: involve all stakeholders—from African start-ups to Silicon Valley giants—so that this revolution benefits humanity as a whole. The ball is in our court!
Source: CNBC.com
Source: UNCTAD report
