Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to dominate headlines, but now it’s capturing the attention of global policymakers and development agencies alike. A new report from the United Nations projects the global AI market will soar to $4.8 trillion by 2033, reinforcing the transformative potential of this technology across industries, economies, and societies.
However, the message isn’t just one of opportunity—it’s also a call to action.
Released in Geneva on Thursday, the UN’s Technology and Innovation Report 2025, published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlights both the promise and the peril of AI’s rapid ascent. At the heart of the report is a clear message: AI must be inclusive, people-centered, and globally governed to benefit all.
🌍 A Global Market, A Global Responsibility
With the AI market expected to balloon to $4.8 trillion in just under a decade, the stakes are high. This growth isn’t just being driven by advancements in language models, robotics, or automation—it's also propelled by the rapid digitization of global economies, expanding data infrastructure, and increased government and private sector investment.
But according to UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, economic opportunity alone is not enough.
“We must shift the focus from technology to people,” Grynspan stated.
“This means enabling countries to co-create a global artificial intelligence framework—one that promotes inclusivity, ethical use, and shared benefits.”
In other words, the rise of AI needs to be met with global cooperation, not just global competition.
🛠️ Bridging the Digital Divide
While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, it's also exacerbating existing inequalities—particularly in access to infrastructure, data, and digital literacy.
The report points out that, despite major investments in digital services, less than half of India’s population has stable internet access. This digital divide poses a major barrier to equitable AI adoption, especially in developing countries.
Yet, India also provides hopeful case studies that show how AI can be effectively leveraged even within constrained environments:
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Tata Steel has integrated AI into its industrial processes, boosting productivity and profits.
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mMitra, an urban mobile healthcare initiative, uses voice messaging in local languages to deliver prenatal and neonatal health advice to underserved women in cities—demonstrating how low-tech AI applications can still deliver high-impact outcomes.
These examples underscore the need for context-aware innovation—solutions that work for the realities on the ground, not just for high-tech hubs.
📈 From Profit to People: Rethinking AI Strategy
UNCTAD's report challenges both governments and corporations to reframe their AI strategies. Instead of focusing solely on productivity and profit, the emphasis must also include:
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🔄 Upskilling workers to navigate an AI-driven future
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📊 Supporting SMEs and public sector innovation
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🔒 Ensuring ethical standards and data privacy
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🌐 Establishing multilateral agreements on AI governance
Without such measures, the report warns, AI may deepen inequality rather than reduce it—especially if access, education, and agency are not made universal.
🧠 Investing in People-First AI
One of the most pressing themes from the report is the need for massive global investment in human capital. As AI systems take over more complex and decision-making tasks, the workforce of tomorrow must be reskilled and empowered.
Countries that invest early in education, digital infrastructure, and inclusive AI policies are more likely to harness the full value of AI—without leaving large segments of their populations behind.
🔮 The Road Ahead: AI for All
With AI poised to add trillions to the global economy, the challenge ahead is not whether we can innovate, but whether we can do so responsibly and equitably.
UNCTAD’s report is a timely reminder that technology should serve humanity—not the other way around. As the world races toward a more intelligent future, the next step is to ensure that future is shared, sustainable, and centered on people.
📌 Final Thoughts
The $4.8 trillion AI opportunity is real—but so are the risks of fragmentation, exclusion, and misuse. The UN’s call for global cooperation, inclusive frameworks, and investment in people should serve as a guiding light for policymakers, businesses, and developers alike.
Because the future of AI won’t just be measured in market value—it will be judged by the kind of world it helps us build.
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