Big technology shifts rarely arrive evenly, and artificial intelligence is no exception. At the AIM Congress in Dubai, ministers and policymakers raised an honest concern: AI investment divergence is creating a widening gap between countries that can access advanced technology and those that cannot. It is genuinely encouraging to see this issue discussed openly, with real solutions on the table rather than being quietly ignored.
What Is AI Investment Divergence?
In simple terms, AI investment divergence describes how global money is increasingly flowing into a small number of sectors and countries, leaving many others behind. According to James X Zhan, executive chairman of the World Investment Conference, more than 40% of global investment is now going into just a few sectors, mainly AI and the digital economy, while traditional manufacturing investment continues to decline.
A few figures shared at the event help explain the scale of this shift:
- Global AI-related capital expenditure and venture funding is expected to exceed $1 trillion in 2026
- Investment in AI data centre infrastructure alone could reach $31.6 trillion by the middle of this century
- Venture capital activity in AI and advanced technology reached more than $430 billion in just the first half of 2026
These numbers show just how quickly money is moving toward AI, and why so many voices are now calling for a fairer, more balanced approach.
Why Developing Nations Are Being Left Behind
One of the clearest examples of AI investment divergence is how unevenly this money is spread. Even within the small share going to developing economies, around 75% of foreign direct investment is concentrated in just 10 countries, including larger economies like China, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, and India. This leaves most developing countries, and nearly all least developed nations, struggling to attract capital.
According to UNCTAD, this growing concentration represents a real global developmental divide, one with immediate consequences for smaller, less-resourced countries trying to keep pace with faster-moving economies.
The UAE’s Stand Against an Uneven AI Future
Rather than staying quiet on the issue, the UAE has taken a clear position. Fahad Al Gergawi, undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, explained that the country is investing heavily both at home and abroad to help prevent what he described as digital colonisation, a term used to describe wealthier nations gaining outsized control over advanced technology. This concern about digital colonisation reflects a genuine worry that AI’s benefits could end up serving only a small group of nations.
He shared a simple but meaningful message: it is vital that the benefits of AI are distributed evenly, rather than concentrated among a handful of capital-rich nations. This kind of leadership is genuinely appreciated, especially at a moment when so much of the world’s attention is focused on AI’s growth rather than closing the digital divide.
The UAE’s approach includes:
- Investing domestically to build its own industrial and advanced technology base
- Supporting global partnerships aimed at helping less-resourced countries access AI
- Actively working to bridge the digital divide, rather than treating it as someone else’s problem
A Shared Global Responsibility
The UAE is not alone in raising this concern about AI investment divergence. Dr Ahmed Rostom, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, described the current environment as genuinely challenging for emerging and developing economies, especially given uncertain global conditions and shifting interest rates. He called for a combination of smart policy incentives, stronger private sector involvement, and closer regional and global collaboration.
Egypt, for example, is aiming for two-thirds of its investments to come from the private sector, while also focusing on higher-quality foreign direct investment rather than simply chasing volume.
Why This Conversation Matters
Addressing AI investment divergence brings real, practical benefits:
- It brings global attention to countries that are often overlooked in AI discussions
- It encourages wealthier nations and investors to think beyond short-term returns
- It supports least developed nations in building the foundations they need to participate in the AI economy
- It reflects a shared understanding that AI’s benefits should reach everyone, not just a select few
Conversations like the one at AIM Congress show that many leaders genuinely want a fairer path forward, and that kind of open dialogue deserves real appreciation.
Conclusion
AI investment divergence is a real challenge, but it is heartening to see it being addressed with honesty rather than avoided. The UAE’s clear stance against unequal access, paired with calls from other nations for smarter policy and stronger collaboration, shows a genuine effort to make AI’s benefits more widely shared.
If your organisation wants guidance on navigating AI adoption responsibly and inclusively, Horizontal8 is here to help. Reach out to Horizontal8 today, and let’s talk about building a smarter, fairer path forward together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AI investment divergence mean?Â
It refers to the growing gap where global investment is concentrated in a small number of sectors and countries, mainly AI and the digital economy, while others receive very little.
Why are least developed nations struggling to attract AI investment?Â
Around 75% of foreign direct investment flowing to developing economies is concentrated in just 10 countries, leaving smaller economies with limited access to capital.
What is digital colonisation?Â
It is a term describing a situation where wealthier, capital-rich nations gain outsized control over advanced technologies like AI, leaving less-resourced countries dependent rather than empowered.
What is the UAE doing to address this issue?Â
The UAE is investing in its own advanced technology base while also supporting global partnerships aimed at helping less-resourced countries access AI more fairly.
What was discussed at the AIM Congress regarding this topic?Â
Ministers and policymakers discussed the scale of AI investment concentration and called for fairer, more coordinated global action to close the digital divide.