In today's digital age, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping economies and societies. Although it holds great promise for promoting economic prosperity and human well-being, it also highlights and can even deepen economic and social fault lines across developed and developing economies. Indeed, economic inequality has been on the rise in many countries during the digital boom, fueling social discontent among those left behind, across industries, across the workforce, and across different segments of society. Growing inequality in society can weaken trust in public institutions and undermine democratic governance. Growing global inequalities could jeopardize geopolitical stability. Growing inequality has emerged as an important topic of political debate and a major public policy concern.
This report, part of ongoing research within the Global Forum on Democracy and Technology, addresses questions related to the impacts of technology on inequality and to the policy agenda to promote economic growth and development that is more inclusive of technological progress:
- In what ways is today's technological transformation contributing to increasing inequality within economies?
- Should workers be afraid of new automation?
- What are the effects of new technologies on global inequality and economic convergence between economies?
- What new policy challenges arise for managing technological change to build inclusive prosperity?
- What new thinking and adaptations are needed to realign institutions and policies with the digital economy, both nationally and globally – and to shape technological change itself?
Download the full report
