To mark the release of the 2024/2025 Human Development Report (HDR), Dr Diego Salama, Head of Partnerships & Communications sat down with , Director of the Human Development Report Office at UNDP, for a wide-ranging conversation about this year¡¯s theme: ¡° "
This year¡¯s report explores how artificial intelligence (AI)¡ªwhile transformative¡ªmust be shaped and governed by collective agency. As Concei??o puts it, AI is not just a technical challenge but a social and political one: "We must not cede agency to governments or tech leaders¡ªreclaiming choice is essential to how we harness AI for human development.¡±
Throughout the discussion, Concei??o offered several key reflections:
- AI must be people-centred. Its impact will depend less on the technology itself and more on the institutions, incentives, and governance systems we put in place.
- Inequalities in AI access are shrinking, but asymmetries in power remain. While AI tools like ChatGPT are spreading rapidly¡ªeven in low- and middle-income countries¡ªthe global governance and training data behind these tools remain concentrated in the Global North. The report calls for a more equitable and inclusive digital infrastructure.
- AI can expand capabilities¡ªbut only if used wisely. The report urges governments and educators to view AI not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a complement that enhances productivity, critical thinking, and personalized learning.
- Global cooperation is essential. In the context of UN80 and a shifting multilateral landscape, Concei??o emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Global Digital Compact as frameworks for inclusive AI governance.
The conversation also reflected on the role of institutions like ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-MERIT. As Concei??o noted, research from ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-MERIT has long shaped UNDP thinking¡ªparticularly its emphasis on the role of institutions, production systems, and innovation ecosystems in mediating the effects of technology.
You can listen to the full podcast interview here:
