UNDP Study: Developing Nations See AI as a Pathway to New Job Opportunities
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Institutions: NITI Aayog
A new study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Dominican Republic confirms a prevailing sense of hope about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in developing economies. The analysis found a high degree of digital engagement, with nearly seven out of ten people (68.9 percent) using AI tools more than once a week. Significantly, while a majority (67.4 percent) acknowledged that jobs could soon be replaced by AI, an even larger proportion (73.3 percent) expressed confidence that learning about AI could help them secure new job opportunities. This optimism aligns with a global pattern observed by the UNDP, particularly among low and middle-income nations.
However, the findings highlighted a critical area for immediate policy focus: the gender gap. Although women use professional training platforms more than men, a substantial disparity exists in career aspirations, with 52.7 percent of male respondents interested in STEM careers compared to only 34.8 percent of female respondents. To maximize the positive impact, the UNDP advises governments to prioritize creating economies where people collaborate with AI and to embed human agency across the AI lifecycle.
The findings provide a mandate for policy makers in India to capitalize on public optimism by urgently investing in STEM education reforms and implementing targeted interventions to ensure gender parity in the AI-driven labor market transition.
What is human agency in the context of AI policy? Human agency in AI refers to the ability of individuals and communities to fully understand, influence, and retain control over the design, deployment, and outcomes of Artificial Intelligence systems, ensuring that technology aligns with human values and serves developmental goals.
Follow the full news here: https://hdr.undp.org/content/ai-and-jobs-new-undp-study-dominican-republic-reaffirms-positive-outlook-ai-developing