The AI Divide: Why Developing Countries Are Falling Further Behind in the Global Technology Revolution

Jakarta, INTI - The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has triggered significant changes across various sectors, from the economy to healthcare. However, behind this remarkable progress lies a growing gap between high-income and low-income countries. This phenomenon, known as the AI Divide, was the focal point of the Keynote Speech delivered by Nezar Patria, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics, at the KORIKA AI Innovation Summit 2024 on August 13, 2024.

Uneven Investment and Access Inequality

In his speech, Nezar Patria revealed that global investment in AI development exceeds 300 billion USD annually. Ironically, most of this funding is concentrated in advanced countries like the United States, Japan, and several European nations. Developing countries, including Indonesia, receive only a small fraction of this investment, leaving them increasingly behind in adopting and utilizing AI technology.

This disparity is not just about the availability of funds but also about access to the necessary infrastructure for AI development. The infrastructure required to support this technology is costly, including high-speed broadband networks, advanced data centers, and skilled experts. Many developing countries cannot provide these facilities equitably, so only a small portion of their populations can benefit from AI technology.

Challenges in Human Resource Development

Beyond infrastructure, the ability to use AI also poses a significant challenge for developing countries. Skilled human resources in this technology are crucial, but they are often hindered by a lack of adequate education and training programs. In Indonesia, for instance, while initiatives like the Digital Talent Scholarship (DTS) aim to enhance digital talent competencies, much work remains to be done to ensure that all segments of society have equal access to and proficiency in AI.

Algorithmic Inequality and Its Impact on Marginalized Groups

Nezar Patria further highlighted the issue of inequality occurring at the algorithmic level of AI. Algorithms used in AI often exhibit biases that disadvantage marginalized groups. For example, AI used in recruitment processes can produce unfair assessments if the data used to train the algorithm is discriminatory. This shows that inequality in AI occurs not only in access and usage but also in the outcomes of AI data processing.

This inequality has significant implications, especially for developing countries still struggling to catch up. Nezar Patria warned that without proper intervention, this gap will continue to widen, exacerbating the existing injustices in the global society.

Building a Fairer Future Through AI Democratization

To address these challenges, Nezar Patria emphasized the importance of AI Democratization strategies. This is an effort to ensure that all countries, regardless of their income levels, have equal opportunities to access and benefit from AI technology. One concrete step that can be taken is through technology and knowledge transfer from advanced countries to developing countries.

This technology transfer is not just about sharing hardware and software but also about building local capacity to develop and utilize AI. Education and training programs must be enhanced to ensure that digital talent in developing countries possesses the necessary skills to compete in the AI era.

Indonesia, through programs like DTS, has begun to take this step. However, Nezar Patria stressed that the government and private sector need to work more closely together to ensure that AI technology can be accessed by all segments of society. This way, AI will not only become a tool for advanced countries to strengthen their dominance but also a means to improve global well-being.

The AI Divide is a significant challenge that requires serious attention from the global community. Without coordinated efforts, developing countries will continue to lag, and the inequality will widen. The AI Democratization strategy, involving technology transfer and human resource capacity building, is key to creating a world where everyone can enjoy the benefits of the AI revolution. Nezar Patria concluded his speech with a call for more inclusive and equitable global action in AI development, so this technology can be a driver of well-being for all nations, not just a few.