{"id":23132,"date":"2026-01-31T05:56:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T03:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jhb-webdevelopers\/channelafrica\/news\/un-warns-that-ai-could-deepen-global-inequality-without-urgent-human-centred-governance\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T16:33:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:33:59","slug":"un-warns-that-ai-could-deepen-global-inequality-without-urgent-human-centred-governance","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/un-warns-that-ai-could-deepen-global-inequality-without-urgent-human-centred-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"UN warns that AI could deepen global inequality without urgent human\u2011centred governance"},"content":{"rendered":"

From classrooms and workplaces to healthcare and daily life, AI is rapidly permeating nearly every aspect of modern society. Whether people see themselves as \u201cboomers\u201d (optimists) or \u201cdoomers\u201d (pessimists), the technology\u2019s global impact is already undeniable.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For years, the UN has <\/span>pushed<\/span> for a <\/span>people\u2011first<\/span> approach, arguing that AI must remain subject to human oversight, human rights standards and ethical guardrails.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UN Secretary\u2011General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres warned the Security Council in 2024 that the future of humanity \u201cmust never be left to the \u2018black box\u2019 of an algorithm\u201d. <\/span>He <\/span>stressed<\/span> that human oversight must remain central to AI <\/span>decision\u2011making<\/span>, <\/span>especially<\/span> in sectors <\/span>affecting<\/span> rights, freedoms and livelihoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Since then, UN agencies have worked to consolidate global policy guidelines on AI governance, drawing on the principles <\/span>set out<\/span> in the Global Digital Compact, which calls for transparency, accountability and equitable access to AI technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One of the UN\u2019s core messages is that education must be strengthened if societies are to adapt to an AI\u2011enabled future. <\/span>This includes embedding digital and AI literacy in classrooms, <\/span>teacher<\/span> training, and <\/span>national<\/span> curricula.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shafika Isaacs, who leads the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural <\/span>Organisation<\/span> work on technology and AI in education, warns that prioritising machines over teachers would be a fundamental mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAI can manage data transfer, but it cannot manage human development,\u201d she said. \u201cEducation is fundamentally a social, human and cultural experience, not a technical download.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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UNESCO estimates that the global education system will <\/span>need<\/span> 44 million additional teachers by 2030, underscoring the need for investment in <\/span>people<\/span> rather than relying solely on automated systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Public anxiety over job losses remains high. A 2025 World Economic Forum survey found that 41% of global employers planned to reduce parts of their workforce due to <\/span>AI<\/span> automation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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However, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), working with global researchers, has concluded that while one in four jobs is likely to be transformed, the overall impact may not lead to net job losses. <\/span>Instead, the nature of work is expected to change significantly, with rising demand for roles <\/span>requiring<\/span> human judgment, creativity, emotional intelligence and ethical reasoning.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The ILO <\/span>says<\/span> workers will increasingly need to adopt a <\/span>lifelong\u2011learning<\/span> mindset, continuously upgrading skills as technology evolves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Another growing concern is the concentration of AI development within a handful of large technology companies. <\/span>The UN has warned that if access to AI tools remains limited to <\/span>well\u2011resourced<\/span> states and corporations, inequality between and within countries will widen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UN strategy papers emphasise that education, economic policy and governance frameworks must ensure the benefits of AI are shared broadly, especially in lower\u2011income countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Since 2021, when UNESCO adopted its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the UN has <\/span>stressed<\/span> that human rights must <\/span>be<\/span> the <\/span>non\u2011negotiable<\/span> baseline for all AI systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The recommendation argues that technologies that threaten dignity, equality or freedom should be restricted or banned, and that governments must actively regulate to prevent abuses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The document calls for:<\/span><\/p>\n