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China event asks if Apec’s rules can close growing AI gap between rich and poor
Conference hears that the bloc’s flexible structure could help in developing a fairer regulatory system
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A “widening” AI gap between advanced economies and developing countries has sparked calls to use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation framework to develop an open, fairer and culturally sensitive governance system.
Although the technology is often hailed as a great leveller in an era of sluggish economic growth, a conference held in southern China last weekend heard that many Global South countries lacked the critical infrastructure and talent required to harness artificial intelligence effectively.
Speakers at the event warned there was a risk innovation could largely benefit a few countries and businesses, and proposed a range of solutions, including joint programmes and taking full advantage of Apec’s flexible structures.
Chung Chul, president of the Korea Economic Research Institute, said the economic gap was “widening, not shrinking” and an “inclusive” framework designed to tackle this problem “cannot be treated as a residual outcome. Instead, it should be something considered beforehand, not just after innovation.”
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