There is a pressing need to bridge the artificial intelligence (AI) gap between the Global North and South, as emphasized by Microsoft Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, at the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’. Smith highlighted that unequal access to technology, particularly electricity, has led to an economic disparity between regions. He pointed out that while 25% of the working-age population in the Global North used AI by the end of 2025, only 14% in the South had similar access, indicating a growing divide.
In the latter half of 2025, the growth rate of AI adoption was significantly higher in the Global North at 1.8% compared to just 1.0% in the South. Smith stressed the importance of addressing this issue urgently to prevent the divide from widening further. He suggested that leveraging public capital and creating demand could help bridge the infrastructure gap in the Global South, presenting a crucial opportunity for progress.
Emphasizing the significance of the ‘India AI Impact Summit’, Smith reiterated the need to tackle the challenge of unequal AI access. He warned that failing to act promptly could perpetuate economic disparities between the Global North and South in the future. Microsoft’s commitment to investing $50 billion by the end of the decade to expand AI initiatives in the Global South was also highlighted, along with the launch of Elevate for Educators in India to enhance AI skills among two million teachers and benefit eight million students.
