Afghanistan Risks Falling Behind in the Global AI Revolution, UN Warns
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned in its latest report, titled “The Next Big Divergence,” that Afghanistan risks missing out on the early opportunities brought by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.
The report states that the lack of critical infrastructure such as reliable electricity, dependable internet, and digital skills pose significant barriers to empowering Afghan youth to benefit from emerging technological advancements.
UNDP emphasized that the lack of digital capacity in Afghanistan will further deepen the development gap between the country and the rest of the world—a factor that could seriously impact the economic future and social standing of the younger generation.
Experts argue that the Taliban-led administration not only lacks a clear plan for developing human resources in the field of technology, but also exacerbates the crisis by restricting educational access and modern learning opportunities. While other nations move to align with digital progress, Afghanistan remains stuck in isolation and underdevelopment due to the Taliban’s restrictive and unstructured policies.
