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The AI revolution is leaving most countries behind
27 June, 2025
A recent New York Times article analysis highlights a striking new ‘AI Divide”: while 68% of the world’s population now uses the internet – a dramatic increase from just 33% in 2012 – the next digital revolution is leaving most countries behind. Only 32 nations have the advanced data centres needed to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence. The United States, China, and the EU host over half of these, while more than 150 countries, including nearly all of Africa and South America, have none.
This new “AI divide” is already shaping global power. American and Chinese companies control over 90% of the world’s AI computing hubs, and the most advanced AI systems – like ChatGPT – work best in English and Chinese. Meanwhile, countries without this infrastructure struggle to retain talent, foster innovation, or even conduct modern scientific research. In Argentina, top students leave for better-equipped countries. In Kenya, startups must rent expensive computing time from overseas.
Historically, technology gaps have closed over time: cheap smartphones and expanding internet once helped level the playing field. But with AI, the stakes – and costs – seem much higher. Just one new data centre in Texas is set to cost $60 billion, and the vital microchips are tightly controlled by a handful of companies.
Will the AI divide narrow as previous gaps did? Or will it entrench a new era of technological inequality? The answer may define the next decade.
By Emma Alajarin