Artificial intelligence could help countries meet the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, but a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report warns it may also widen inequalities between nations.

UNDP’s recent report on AI and its impact on development, “The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries,” warns that AI could widen development gaps between countries unless the right policies are adopted and human-centred actions are taken. 

It stated that countries with strong digital infrastructure, skilled workforces, and robust governance frameworks are better positioned to reap AI’s benefits, while others risk being left further behind. The UNDP Human Development Report 2025 also examined the broader implications of AI on human development. With similarly cautionary observations, it emphasises the importance of exercising agency and making deliberate decisions to ensure that AI builds human capability. It emphasises our choice and intention, and notes that “the future is in our hands.”

The report stated that to harness the power of AI for the wellbeing of the people of Samoa, the country must continue investing in its digital foundation by strengthening connectivity, developing enabling policy, building human skills, and fostering trust. 

For this, the concept of digital public infrastructure (DPI) is useful. It refers to digital systems that benefit the public at large with emphasis on interoperability with open standards, with the right privacy protections and consent. 

According to the UNDP, work is in progress in this area. Samoa’s ongoing National Digital ID System is building its DPI foundation, enabling digital readiness across sectors. The proposed draft of the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2025/26-2030/31 (PDS2) places digital transformation as a cross-cutting priority as well as a stand-alone Key Priority Area. The recent validation of the Draft National ICT Policy 2025–2030 also shows a strong commitment of the Government to laying the groundwork for DPI. These investments will eventually enable AI to drive the country’s inclusive, sustainable development and shared prosperity.

Also important is the concept of digital sovereignty. It refers to the ability of countries and communities to shape and govern their own data and digital architecture. Last year, the Government, through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, convened a workshop on AI trust and safety, in partnership with UNDP. The discussion on digital sovereignty arose from the participants. Questions like, “How can Samoa maintain ownership of its digital technologies and AI?” spurred lively discussions. 

The Draft National ICT Policy discusses the importance of Fa’aSamoa to ensure that digitalisation will also reflect cultural values and traditions, as well as people’s aspirations.

UNDP stated that AI will be a multiplier force for Samoa if it takes deliberate actions to build a digital public infrastructure that serves its people with the intention to expand human capability. It stated that with intentional policymaking and strategies towards inclusive development driven by digitalisation, Samoa will strengthen its resilience, stimulate inclusive growth, and improve the well-being of its people in the emerging age of AI.