AI and inequality between the Global North and SouthCEFR A1
7 Nov 2025
Adapted from Abdallah Abdallah, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by The New York Public Library, Unsplash
- AI promises major economic change worldwide.
- Benefits are not equal between countries.
- Africa is part of the Global South.
- Some countries adapt technology to local needs.
- Other countries become dependent on outside tech.
- The World Economic Forum says AI could help the economy by 2030.
- Only 2 percent of data centers are in Africa.
- At COSAA 2025 people showed strong skepticism about AI gains.
- Some IPv4 addresses from AFRINIC went to Asian companies.
Difficult words
- benefit — A good thing that helps someone.benefits
- resource — Something useful for people or activities.resources
- technology — Tools or machines that help people.technologies
- challenge — A difficult problem to solve.challenges
- share — To give a part of something to someone.
- region — An area or part of a place.regions
- view — An opinion or attitude about something.views
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What do you think about sharing AI benefits?
- Why do you think there are different views on AI?
- How can we help African countries with new technologies?
Related articles
AI tool to improve cause-of-death data in low-income countries
Researchers created CODA, an AI tool to give more accurate causes of death in low-income countries where few deaths have documented causes. CODA can work in communities and health facilities and will begin limited trials.
MRI and AI measure fluid flow in the brain
Researchers combined MRI scans with physics-informed AI to estimate slow fluid flow in the brain’s glymphatic system, which helps clear waste and is linked to Alzheimer’s. The team trained AI on dye videos and collected animal baseline data.
New AI tools for tuberculosis shown at lung health conference
Researchers presented four new AI approaches for detecting and monitoring TB at the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen (18–21 November). The tools include breath analysis, cough screening, vulnerability mapping and a chest X‑ray tool for children.