AI investment is highly concentrated
A new report reveals that 100 companies control 40% of the world’s private investment in research and development, prompting the United Nations to sound the alarm about growing inequality in the AI landscape. 118 countries are missing from the global AI governance conversation altogether.
AI could disrupt up to 40% of jobs globally
The Technology and Innovation Report 2025 found that up to 40% of the world’s jobs could be affected by AI. Although new technology means new opportunities and industries, it also means automation and job displacement, which seriously concerns economies where low-cost labour has been a competitive advantage.
Global AI market rivals entire national economies
UNCTAD says the AI market is projected to reach $4.8 trillion, roughly the size of Germany’s economy. Meanwhile, tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft each have a market value close to the GDP of the African continent.
UN calls for shared global AI framework
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) states that if governments invest in reskilling, upskilling, and workforce adaptation, they can ensure that AI enhances employment opportunities rather than eliminates them. UNCTAD identified three key leverage points: infrastructure, data, and skills.
But countries cannot, and should not, manage the competitive AI world alone. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan wants to co-create a global AI framework and establish a shared global facility for equitable access to AI tools.
“History has shown that while technological progress drives economic growth, it does not on its own ensure equitable income distribution or promote inclusive human development,” says Grynspan.
Bill Gates: AI as big as the Internet
AI has been the topic of conversation for a while now, and that will not change anytime soon. “The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone,” wrote Bill Gates in 2023.
New Zealand’s position in the AI race
New Zealand sits in a middle ground—not one of the AI powerhouses, but not excluded either. It’s working to bridge the divide through smart investments, forward-thinking policy, and a clear ambition: to become a world leader in responsible AI.
Roadmap and rankings: AI strategy in motion
The AI Forum NZ is aiming to lift the country’s standing on global indices: from 49th to the top 30 on the Government AI Readiness Index and from 36th to the top 25 on the Global AI Index.
Boosting digital infrastructure and inclusion
New Zealand is backing this ambition with heavy investment in healthcare, education, creative industries, agriculture, and the environment. Its data centre market is projected to grow from USD 800 million to USD 1.4 billion by 2030. Cloud regions from AWS and Microsoft are coming online, powered by renewable energy.
Seven submarine cables already connect the country, with three more due by 2027. But it’s not just about hardware—programs like the Digital Boost Alliance are helping small businesses build digital skills.
Making the AI future inclusive
New Zealand is also prioritising diversity in tech. National goals aim to bring more women, Māori, Pacific peoples, neurodiverse individuals, and people with disabilities into digital roles.
Global cooperation over competition
On the global stage, New Zealand supports a shared AI future. It backs UNCTAD’s push for global AI frameworks, open data access, and digital infrastructure that supports all countries.
SPONSORED
