AI and Human Advancement: UNDP Sees Hope Amidst Stagnation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing at a breakneck pace, drawing headlines while simultaneously creating a paradox of privilege in a seemingly abstract vacuum of progress. It is, however, revealing human preferences and priorities with greater clarity. Yet, the pace of human development remains uneven, and signs of stagnation have emerged globally. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remains optimistic that AI will help offset this stagnation in the coming years.
A recent UNDP survey estimates that within the next year, two-thirds of the world’s population will use AI in education, healthcare, or the workplace. The agency emphasizes that building a complementary economy and making significant investments in purposeful innovation are crucial to leveraging AI for empowering citizens and advancing human development.
According to the survey, 70% of people in low- and middle-income countries believe AI will increase productivity, and 60% are confident it will generate new employment opportunities. At the same time, 50% fear that AI may take over existing jobs, with 13% of respondents expressing concern about potential job loss.
UNDP's Human Development Report 2025, released on April 5, notes that the current pace of human development is the slowest in 35 years, with consistent stagnation over the past four years. The report expresses hope that the proper application of Artificial Intelligence will break this deadlock and open new avenues for global progress.
Based on 2023 data, the report ranks Bangladesh 130th out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), a slight improvement from 131st in the previous edition. The average life expectancy in Bangladesh stands at 74.7 years, and the mean years of schooling is 6.8. Between 1990 and 2023, the country’s HDI grew at an average annual rate of 1.67%. However, income inequality persists—40% of the poorest citizens control only 20.4% of total income, while the richest 10% hold 27.4%, and the wealthiest 1% possess 16.2%.
The report notes that one-fifth of the global population is already using AI, and usage is expected to grow. Ensuring affordable access to electricity and the internet remains vital. However, UNDP’s Head of the Human Development Report Office, Pedro Conceição, said, “It is not just access, but how people use AI that will be the true measure of progress.” He added, “From farmers to entrepreneurs, AI could serve as a bridge to new knowledge and skills. But this requires sound policymaking.”
The report titled "A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" highlights that the global recovery anticipated after the 2020–21 crises has largely stalled. The 2024 HDI data shows stagnation across every world region. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner warned, “If stagnation becomes the 'new normal,' achieving high human development by 2030 could be delayed by decades.”
He further noted, “AI is not a magic wand, but if used wisely, it can unlock new pathways for development.”
