India ranks 10th globally in private AI investments: UN report
According to the 2025 UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Technology and Innovation Report, India has ranked 10th in global private artificial intelligence (AI) investments. Additionally, India and China are the only developing countries globally with significant private investments in AI in 2023.
On the report’s ‘Readiness Index measures countries’ index, which measures countries’ preparedness to adopt and adapt frontier technologies like AI, India ranked 36th in 2024. This is an improvement from its position at 48th in 2022. The index combines indicators for ICT deployment, industrial capacity, Research and Development (R&D) activity, and access to finance.
Global AI market projections
According to the report, the global AI market is expected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. This marks a 25-fold increase from 2023, in which the market reached $189 billion. The report also projects that AI could quadruple its share of the global frontier technology market by the said period of 2033, rising to 29 percent from 7 percent. The global AI market, according to the report, is dominated by countries like the United States (US), which has invested $67 billion in AI in 2023. This accounts for 70 percent of global private AI investments. China, with its $7.8 billion AI investment, holds the second spot globally. Countries like China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom (UK) and the US have shown scientific strength in the field of AI.
However, the report also noted how access to AI infrastructure and expertise remains concentrated in a few economies. It is noted that 40 percent of global corporate R&D spending comes from only 100 firms, located mainly in the US and China. The report states, “Development is highly concentrated, with advanced and large economies benefiting from a deeper talent pool of workers with the needed skills.” The report suggests that strategic investment and inclusive global governance are key to ensuring its benefits are widely shared.
AI’s impact on jobs
Regarding AI affecting jobs, the report suggests AI could impact 40 percent, worldwide. While AI offers productivity, there are also rising concerns about automation and job displacement. According to the report, of the 40 percent, jobs in up to one third in advanced economies are at risk of automation. Whereas 27 percent of jobs in these economies could be enhanced by AI.
“The benefits of AI-driven automation often favour capital over labour, which could widen inequality and reduce the competitive advantage of low-cost labour in developing economies. However, AI is not just about replacing jobs — it can also create new industries and empower workers. Investing in reskilling, upskilling, and workforce adaptation is essential to ensure AI enhances employment opportunities rather than eliminating them,” the report said.
The report also raised alarm regarding AI being dominated by a few wealthy nations. With G7 countries involved in all major AI governance initiatives, other 118 countries, mostly developing nations, are not involved in any.
