AI use surges globally but rich-poor divide widens, Microsoft says
Microsoft’s report shows global generative AI usage among working-age adults reached 17.8% in Q1 2026, but adoption lags in developing nations at 15.4% compared to 27.5% in developed countries, widening the digital divide. The UAE leads AI usage at 70.1%, while the U.S. ranks 21st at 31.3%, despite hosting major AI models like ChatGPT, with language barriers and infrastructure gaps slowing progress in non-English regions.
Generative artificial intelligence adoption has surged globally, with 17.8% of the world’s working-age population using AI tools in the first quarter of 2026, according to a Microsoft report released Tuesday. However, a stark divide persists between developed and developing nations: 27.5% of people aged 15-64 in developed countries used AI, compared to just 15.4% in developing regions, marking a 1.5 percentage-point increase in the gap since late 2025. The disparity stems from unequal access to internet connectivity, digital skills, and electricity, alongside AI model limitations in non-English languages, though progress in processing Asian languages is driving adoption in some regions. The United Arab Emirates leads AI usage at 70.1%, followed by Singapore, Norway, Ireland, and France, while the U.S.—home to major AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini—ranked 21st with 31.3% adoption. China, the world’s second-largest economy, reported 16.4% AI usage, trailing behind despite its tech ambitions. Microsoft’s data, primarily sourced from Windows and Microsoft product usage, underrepresents Apple device adoption and lacks consolidated figures for Russia, Iran, and China. The report also addressed concerns about AI-driven job losses, arguing that AI coding tools could *increase* demand for developer roles, though it acknowledged the long-term labor impact remains uncertain. Separately, Microsoft announced voluntary departures for nearly 9,000 U.S.-based employees in April, amid broader tech-sector layoffs totaling nearly 99,000 since January, per Layoffs.fyi. The report underscores both AI’s rapid growth and the persistent challenges of bridging global digital inequalities.
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