UNAI as in un-AI UN REPORT ON "INCLUSIVE AI" - COPY
"The (Global) Airing of Grievances"
REPORT COPY FOR YOUR REVIEW, VIDEO, AND COMMENTARY
You know me, AI Counsel, to be an admitted immediate skeptic wherever any government proposes to “regulate AI.”
My allergy comes from several datapoints of experience from my now third-decade career.
Governments govern best which govern least.
Governments are unqualified to pass on breaking technology, its members lack the training experience and rapidity to be helpful. Things get “bogged down.”
I’m always suspicious that any “regulatory scheme” is a payment gateway, tax invitation, or permitting/permission pecuniary scheme instead of a bona fide human interest action... Why? Because there have been so many in 100 years, from land to oil to railroad to the picayune of n95 masks.
Doomerism is spreading unaddresed and seems like a personal human unhelpful negative reflex pathology, a repository for all fears not germane to either technology or AI.
Future insight is prospective, we cannot now know, we can guess to know and making rules for unknown reality forward is bad policy.
And so when the United Nations (UN) announced it was releasing its Big Report on AI, I thought to myself, “Here we do.”
It is not disappoint in disappointment.
Whereas AI represents the greatest technology humankind has ever invented, is ideaware thoughtware historyware workware creativeware lawware artware docuwear medicalware musicware filmware — a global democratic egalitarian START-UP open for all and each everywhere to partake,
UN superimposes a “slant.” It must be “dangerous technology” because it is technology. It must be made to heel to be “inclusive” as if mainframes and GPUs and code actually ever could be.
AI shares what email and the Internet share as another manifest GOOD. These are race and gender and socio-economics neutral and offer humankind a venue to be free of such things. These factors only come in by dint of a user intention…it is just a database.
Words are things.
Inclusive? (Leveraging for empowerment)? (Preparing to seize)? (Designing national policies)? (Global collaboration for inclusive)?
It is a bad news bear. Not even so much about AI as it uses AI as a venue to lay our an airing of grievances.
Tl;dr — it seems to include all bad news imagined but not enough about (um) AI a bright and prosperous creative future. Still good cites and information. (An un-AI Report)
The VIDEO just below
AI COUNSEL GROK-POWERED “AI CRUNCH SUMMARY” follows for the fast readers…
VIMEO?????? REALLY????????????????????!
AI COUNSEL AI CRUNCH SUMMARY
Key Themes and Findings
Global Trade and Economic Context:
Economic Slowdown: Global GDP growth is projected at 2.7% for 2025, with trade growth lagging due to weak demand in developed economies and supply chain disruptions. Merchandise trade grew by only 1.4% in 2024, with services trade (e.g., tourism, transport) showing resilience at 6.5% growth. BAD NEWS
Regional Disparities: Developing countries, particularly in Africa and South Asia, face challenges from high debt levels and limited fiscal space, constraining trade and investment. East Asia remains a trade growth leader, while Latin America and Africa lag. BAD NEWS
Geopolitical Impacts: Rising trade restrictions (e.g., 3,000+ measures in 2024) and friend-shoring/nearshoring trends are fragmenting global trade, increasing costs, and disrupting supply chains, especially for critical minerals and technology. MORE BAD NEWS
Digitalization in Trade:
E-commerce Growth: Global e-commerce sales reached $4.7 trillion in 2024, driven by digital platforms and AI-driven trade solutions. However, digital divides persist, with developing nations struggling to access infrastructure and skills. MORE BAD NEWS
AI and Trade: Artificial intelligence is reshaping trade patterns by optimizing supply chains and enabling predictive analytics, but its benefits are unevenly distributed, favoring advanced economies. MORE BAD NEWS
Policy Needs: Investments in digital infrastructure, regulatory harmonization, and skills development are critical to inclusive digital trade. TAX
Green Transition and Trade:
Green Investment Surge: Global greenfield FDI in renewables and low-carbon technologies grew by 20% in 2024, but fossil fuel investments remain significant in developing regions. MORE BAD NEWS
Trade in Green Goods: Trade in environmental goods (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines) is expanding, but protectionist measures like tariffs hinder access for developing countries. MORE BAD NEWS
Challenges: High costs of transitioning to net-zero, coupled with inconsistent global standards, create barriers for poorer nations. MORE BAD NEWS - THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT AI?
Investment Trends:
FDI Recovery: Global foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 10% in 2024 to $1.5 trillion, but it remains below pre-2020 levels. Developing countries saw slower FDI growth due to risk aversion and financing constraints. MORE BAD NEWS - THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT AI?
Sectoral Shifts: Investment is shifting toward digital and green sectors, with manufacturing and infrastructure lagging in vulnerable economies. MORE BAD NEWS - THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT AI?
Policy Barriers: Regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risks deter long-term investment, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs). MORE BAD NEWS - THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT AI?
Policy Recommendations:
Multilateral Cooperation: Strengthen global trade rules under the WTO to reduce fragmentation and promote inclusive trade policies. MORE GOVERNMENT
Support for Developing Countries: Increase financial and technical assistance for digital and green transitions, including debt relief and blended finance. MORE TAX
Regional Integration: Encourage regional trade agreements (e.g., AfCFTA in Africa) to boost intra-regional trade, which remains low (e.g., 16% of African exports). MORE GOVERNMENT, MORE TAX
Sustainable Trade: Harmonize standards for green goods and reduce trade barriers to support the net-zero transition. MORE GOVERNMENT, MORE TAX, MORE TAX
Structure of the Report
Chapter 1: Global Economic Outlook – Analyzes macroeconomic trends, trade performance, and regional disparities.
Chapter 2: Digitalization and Trade – Explores the role of AI, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure in reshaping trade.
Chapter 3: Geopolitical Dynamics – Examines trade restrictions, supply chain reconfiguration, and their impacts.
Chapter 4: Green Transition – Discusses trade and investment in environmental goods and the challenges of decarbonization.
Chapter 5: Policy Pathways – Offers actionable recommendations for governments, international organizations, and stakeholders.
Annexes: Include data tables, methodological notes, and case studies on digital trade and green investment.
Broader Context
The report emphasizes the interconnected challenges of digital divides, geopolitical tensions, and climate imperatives. It underscores UNCTAD’s role in providing evidence-based analysis to support developing countries, particularly LDCs, in navigating these transitions. The document aligns with UNCTAD’s focus on trade, investment, finance, and sustainable development, highlighting the need for global cooperation to address inequalities and achieve inclusive growth.
‘Global AI Karen wants to talk to the Manager’
