On December 2, the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Development Programme issued a report, highlighting that pronounced disparities in countries' foundational development conditions could result in AI exacerbating global inequality if not properly addressed. The report underscored that while AI presents new avenues for development, the vastly different starting points among nations lead to unequal capacities in harnessing opportunities and mitigating risks. Without robust policy interventions, this gap is set to widen further, reversing the long-standing trend of narrowing development gaps. The Asia-Pacific region, a key hub for AI transformation, accounts for over half of the world's AI user base. However, significant disparities in digital development persist across countries in the region. Factors such as inadequate infrastructure and a scarcity of skilled professionals constrain AI's potential and may heighten risks like job displacement. The report stressed that only a handful of countries have established comprehensive regulatory frameworks for AI, making the development of effective governance mechanisms an urgent priority.