AI in Human Development UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released its latest Human Development Report 2025, title.

“A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI.”

The report brings sharp focus to the growing role of AI in human development at UNDP, examining both its transformative potential and risks.

Here’s a complete breakdown for SSC aspirants to understand the AI-human development nexus and its implications.

What Is the Human Development Report?

• The Human Development Report (HDR) has been published annually by UNDP since 1990.

• It uses several indices to measure development beyond just income or GDP.

• The 2025 report highlights AI in Human Development UNDP as a key theme, calling it a "matter of choice" rather than inevitability.

AI and Human Development: A Double-Edged Sword

• The report underlines how artificial intelligence and sustainable development are becoming intertwined.

• AI can amplify human capabilities and reduce poverty, but it can also widen the gap between nations.

• The UNDP report on AI and human potential stresses the need for inclusive governance and ethical AI policies.

India’s Performance in HDR 2025

India showed steady progress in the Human Development Index (HDI):

• India ranks 130, with an HDI value of 0.685, in the medium human development category.

• Since 1990, India’s HDI value has increased by over 53%.

• Life expectancy rose from 58.6 years (1990) to 72 years (2023).

• GNI per capita increased more than fourfold to $9046.76 (2023).

• India now stands out as a global AI talent hub, with 20% of Indian AI researchers choosing to work within the country.

This reflects the potential of technology-driven human development index performance.

Global Context: AI’s Uneven Impact

• The report warns about UNDP AI's impact on global inequality.

• Countries with low HDI values are falling behind, while high HDI countries continue to surge.

• The digital divide and AI in developing countries remain a serious challenge.

• Ethical use of AI in development policies is now more critical than ever.

Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024 (MPI)—What You Should Know

• Released on 17th October 2024, co-authored by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and UNDP.

• Measures poverty across 10 indicators under three dimensions: health, education, and living standards.

• India has 234 million people living in multidimensional poverty.

• Over 1.1 billion people globally live in acute poverty across 112 countries.

Key Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

1. AI in Human Development is a central policy theme.

2. AI can enable AI for inclusive human growth, UNDP goals, if deployed with justice and accessibility.

3. AI and social inclusion, UN report segments suggest that inclusive digital access must be a policy priority.

4. India’s investments in human development and emerging technologies are beginning to pay off.

5. The report emphasizes AI governance and development challenges, making it a crucial topic for exams.

Exam Utility: How This Helps SSC Aspirants

Final Thought

The UNDP’s latest report signals a historic shift: AI in Human Development. UNDP is not a futuristic vision—it’s today’s challenge.

India’s upward climb in development indicators and growing AI capabilities show a strong foundation, but policies must bridge the digital divide to ensure sustainable, inclusive growth.

The future lies in making the right choices—developing AI ethically, fairly, and intelligently to power up human potential.