The development of artificial intelligence is deepening global inequality, creating a divide between nations that create AI and those that merely consume it. According to the Stanford AI Index 2026, the United States hosts over 5,000 data centers, which is more than ten times the number in any other country. In 2023, the U.S. accounted for approximately 87% of global cloud computing and storage exports.
Digital skills remain unevenly distributed. Among OECD countries, only about 40% of adults possess advanced digital skills. Education level significantly impacts AI literacy: 36% of individuals with higher education completed AI training courses over the past year, compared to only 18% of those with secondary education. This gap often leaves the less educated unable to influence or understand automated systems.
Several nations are attempting to bridge this gap through regional strategies and localized models. In 2024, the African Union adopted a continental AI strategy to be implemented in two phases between 2025 and 2030. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency is focusing on practical tools, such as satellite-based fishing aids and models trained on local languages like Javanese and Sundanese.
Government initiatives face implementation challenges. In April 2026, South Africa’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies withdrew a draft AI policy after it was discovered that the document contained references to non-existent research, likely generated by AI. Indonesia, conversely, has set a goal to train 100,000 AI specialists annually as part of its national roadmap published in August 2025.
