Will Artificial Intelligence Advance Human Development or Widen Inequality? A Review of a TED Talk by Andrew Ng

Artificial Intelligence (AI) currently stands as one of the most powerful forces shaping the 21st century. From changing healthcare and education to being a gamechanger in agriculture and e-commerce, AI is no longer a futuristic dream, it is rapidly becoming the foundation of modern society. But amid this advancement there lies a critical question: Will AI advance human development, or will it worsen the inequalities that already plague our world? This essay draws inspiration from Andrew Ng’s TED Talk, “How AI Could Empower Any Business,” alongside reflections from my research on development indices such as the Human Development Index (HDI).

Andrew Ng, a leading voice in the AI revolution, offers hope yet warns us. In his TED Talk, he emphasizes that AI is not solely for big businesses: it can empower small businesses, boost productivity, and solve real-world problems. The challenge, Ng argues, lies not in AI growing too intelligent, but in its power being concentrated in the hands of a privileged few. He describes AI as a tool, not a luxury. However, if this tool is only available to those with money, infrastructure, and elite education, we risk turning AI into another major cause of global inequality. Ng’s call to action is to either improve access to AI, or risk its benefits being received by only a handful of people.

The Human Development Index, a measure of health, education, and income, provides useful criterion to assess AI’s role in society. In many ways, AI advances the goals of human development. In healthcare, AI devices can detect life-threatening conditions in real time. For example, the Apple Watch has helped save many lives. It can detect when an older person falls or is in a life-threatening situation, when there are abnormalities in someone’s health data. It gives alerts, suggests seeing a doctor, and even lets you call emergency services quickly. It makes staying safe and healthy much easier. In education, personalized platforms are breaking down barriers to learning. In industry, AI is streamlining operations and boosting economic growth. These are clear steps toward expanding human potential. However, this progress is not evenly distributed. In India, nearly 74% of workers fear job loss due to automation. The digital divide, especially in economically vulnerable regions, threatens to exclude millions from the technological advancements. As AI automates tasks and changes the dynamic of the labor market, it risks entire populations being left behind, not due to a lack of capability, but a lack of access.

The socioeconomic risks of AI are not far-fetched; they are already unfolding. Large corporations with huge data reserves and capital dominate AI innovation. Small businesses and developing nations often lack the infrastructure to compete with larger scale businesses. Companies like Amazon have improved efficiency using AI, while simultaneously reducing human labor and increasing dependency on precarious gig economy work. As per the Oxford Dictionary, the gig economy is a labour market characterized by a prevalence of short-term contracts and freelance work, as distinct from permanent, full-time employment. The World Economic Forum projects a net loss of 14 million jobs due to AI by 2027. For low-income communities and nations classified as ‘developing’, this is not merely an economic statistic. If access to AI is determined by privilege, then AI becomes a divider, reinforcing systemic barriers and limiting social mobility.

While HDI has been crucial in measuring progress, it fails to capture the advancements of the digital age. It does not account for digital literacy, technological access, or the ethical implications of data use. HDI’s metrics should be expanded in order to include political freedom, gender equity, environment conservation, and now, digital inclusion. Nations may boast high HDI scores while grappling with larger internal disparities. China and the United States, ranked as the world’s first and second largest economies and leading tech powers, still face significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to AI tools. Without recognizing the digital divide, HDI risks misrepresenting progress. If all sections of society do not grow, the country as a whole should not be considered to be developed.

AI is neither advantageous nor disadvantageous on its own. The CEO of world-renowned multinational automobile company ‘Tesla’, Elon Musk also says “AI is the new electricity.” – Andrew Ng. AI’s promise is undeniable: it can revolutionize medicine, change education, and improve economies. However, to feel that promise, everyone must act with intent and responsibility. Governments must prioritize making people AI literate, invest in digital infrastructure, and implement policies that protect vulnerable workers. Education systems should teach students not just to use technology, but to question it ethically. Public-private collaborations and open-source platforms can help bridge access gaps, ensuring AI serves the many, not the few.

“AI is the new electricity.” – Andrew Ng.

In conclusion, Andrew Ng compares Artificial intelligence with electricity, a common necessity in today’s world no matter where one lives. As Ng reminds us, the real danger is exclusion. AI’s greatest threat is not what it will become, but who it will leave behind. If we fail to make AI inclusive, we risk expanding the reach of the very inequalities we seek to overcome. On the other hand, if we utilize it wisely, AI can be a force for shared progress: advancing not only economies, but the core of human development, ensuring that the benefits of this transformative technology reach every inch of society. Only by building inclusive ecosystems can we guarantee AI benefits all people, rather than worsening existing divides.