IMF and OECD Warn AI Could Widen Gap Between Rich and Poor Countries
What Happened
On October 22, 2026, officials from the IMF and OECD warned that artificial intelligence could widen economic inequalities between developed and developing countries. The IMF estimates effective AI adoption could add up to 0.5 percentage points to annual global growth over the medium term. However, limited electricity access, digital infrastructure and skills could prevent poorer economies from sharing equally in those gains.
Key Takeaways
AI offers potential productivity gains, but benefits may be uneven across countries, businesses and workers. The IMF and OECD emphasise infrastructure, skills development and wider technology adoption to reduce inequality risks.