Archive · 28 Sep 2026
UN Leaders Urge Youth Investment, Warn AI May Widen Inequality
Leaders at the United Nations discussed how to help the world’s growing number of young people.
They said young people need good schools, useful skills, technology and decent jobs.
Africa’s young population was described as an important opportunity for the whole world.
Indonesia and Mexico said jobs and better incomes can make countries stronger and safer.
Leaders also talked about artificial intelligence, or AI.
AI could help countries develop and solve problems.
But it could also make inequality worse if some people and countries cannot access it.
Singapore said people must stay in control of AI and be responsible for how it is used.
Several countries called for investment in digital infrastructure and skills so that AI benefits more people.
UN General Assembly speakers said education, skills, technology and decent jobs are needed to turn youth growth into prosperity.
Zambia said one in four young people worldwide could be African by 2050, highlighting Africa’s global economic importance.
Indonesia and Mexico linked employment, higher wages and investment in young people to economic resilience, security and stability.
South Korea warned artificial intelligence could deepen inequality and increase young people’s anxiety about their economic futures.
Singapore, India, China and Jamaica called for responsible AI development, digital investment and efforts to prevent a wider global divide.
- Who
- Government leaders and foreign ministers speaking at the United Nations, including officials from Zambia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, India, China and Jamaica.
- What
- They urged investment in education, skills, technology and decent employment for young people while debating AI’s development and risks.
- When
- During speeches to the United Nations General Assembly; the articles do not specify a date.
- Where
- At the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- To harness the opportunities created by a growing youth population while preventing unemployment, inequality and technological dependence from worsening.
AI as a Development Opportunity
AI as an Inequality Risk
Economic development
AI as a Development Opportunity
India, China and other speakers presented AI and technological progress as tools that can support development and narrow the digital divide.
AI as an Inequality Risk
South Korea and Jamaica warned that rapid technological change could deepen inequality and reproduce existing economic divisions.
Access and governance
AI as a Development Opportunity
Singapore called for investment in science, infrastructure and skills, while South Korea proposed a Global AI Hub to widen access to technology.
AI as an Inequality Risk
Singapore stressed that humans must remain in control and accountable, and Jamaica called for more support for digital infrastructure and skills in developing countries.
Youth employment
AI as a Development Opportunity
Leaders argued that education, training and technology can help young people participate in productive economies.
AI as an Inequality Risk
Speakers warned that education alone may not be enough if economies fail to create sufficient productive work or if AI increases uncertainty about jobs.
- Main priority
- Provide young people with quality education, relevant skills, technology access and decent employment.
- Africa’s projected share
- By 2050, one in every four young people worldwide is expected to be African, according to Zambia’s foreign minister.
- Mexico’s minimum wage
- Mexico said its minimum wage had risen 154 per cent since 2018.
- Mexico’s policy claim
- Mexico said citizens’ purchasing power was at its highest level in more than 40 years.
- South Korea’s warning
- President Lee Jae Myung said AI could deepen inequality and increase anxiety among young people.
- Singapore’s proposal
- Singapore urged investment in science, infrastructure and skills and said humans must remain in control and accountable.
- Zambia’s AI concern
- Zambia warned that AI must not deepen existing inequalities or create a new global divide.