Poverty in the Age of Automation: Assessing the Potential of AI to Mitigate or Magnify Global Di

This article is a critical analysis of the benefits and limitations of AI when it comes to eradicating poverty.

The Dartmouth Summer Research Project, organized by John McCarthy and Marvin Minsky in 1956 was the first ever project of its kind that piqued people’s appeal for the potential existence of “thinking machines”. The conference brought out the birth of the term “Artificial Intelligence” which led revolutionary researchers from the fields of mathematics, engineering and psychology to deliberate on the sustainability of building a cognitive machine that emulates the human intellect. Even though the notion faced a considerable amount of skepticism, it laid groundwork for the next generation of researchers to enable the execution of the process. Transition to almost 68 years later, the global market AI size is envisioned to reach $243.70 billion in 2025. Machine Learning, a subset of AI, made our lives a breeze in innumerous ways. From Digital assistants to Search engines and from Online Shopping to Navigation, the proliferation of its uses has been impossible to turn a blind eye to. However, our expectations from it don't just come to a pit stop. The question comes to light that, “Can AI facilitate the endeavor of globally eradicating poverty?” While it is quite arduous, the growth and versatility of this field has given us legitimate grounds for thinking this way.
Poverty has been a part of human history for as long as we can trace. We know it existed in ancient civilizations. For instance, In Ancient Rome, there was an evident demarcation of the wealthy elite and the poor. Cut to the modern era, the conundrum of finding an absolute solution to this disparity has left individuals baffled. About 700 million of the total population are lacking adequate financial resources which leaves them no choice than to live a below average livelihood. For most of us, surviving on $2.15 a day, which is the global poverty line, feels far deflected from pragmaticism, however, this plight has left so many individuals up against the wall, with no way out. There exist various causes of poverty, some more consequential than the others. Inequality fuels the cycle of poverty. When people get deprived of resources because of their gender, ethnicity or tribal affiliation, they tend to have petite opportunities of moving ahead in life.
Discrimination takes place even within the underprivileged sector of society and a lot of times, poverty alleviation programmes tend to benefit only the superficial strata of people. They frequently don't take the initiative of going the extra mile to delve deeper and help the people that are not so vocal about the issues they are subjected to. Factors like corruption, bureaucratic hurdles and poor implementation make the mechanism far more intricate. For instance, the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) had a noble goal of providing financial assistance to families in the event of the death of the breadwinner, but it struggled to gain momentum and eventually, the government pulled the plug on the project. However, with the help of automation, it has become much streamlined to achieve data-driven goals. AI embellishes the capability of organizations to come up with efficient programmes while also forecasting potential obstacles.
The accessibility of financial inclusion to isolated groups also becomes complex when handled by a human. Meanwhile, AI �" powered systems don’t undergo emotional priming which is why they can detect fraudulent transactions more effectively than the traditional methods. AI can scrutinize colossal amounts of data and provide 24/7 customized financial advice and guidance to people living in remote areas. This will eventually lead to them making better financial decisions. Ant Financial’s MYbank in China has leveraged AI to provide microloans to small businesses. The AI rapidly assesses the source’s ability to repay the financial obligation based on credit history and current income. Because of these microloans, millions of small businesses have been able to upsurge their operations.
Education becomes the most significant gamechanger when it comes to pulling people out of the poverty line. With the help of a coherent education programme, the marginalized entities acquire the skillset required for obtaining enhanced employment opportunities. AI systems can deliver tailored instructions and by addressing the grasping competence of each student, they can help foster academic success. As a case in point, EdTech in India has utilized AI to provide affordable, top- notch education. By making these resources inclusive to low- income families, India is paving the way for a sophisticated workforce which is essential for economic development. The country’s 6.6% estimated GDP growth in 2025 is a testament to these robust strategies.
Another reason behind the perpetuating cycle of poverty is malnutrition amongst children of vulnerable communities. A malnutritioned mother corresponds to a malnutritioned child who has a weak immune system and becomes susceptible to diseases. The cost of the treatment of these illnesses is expensive, which exacerbates the financial burdens of the families. In Africa, Cholera outbreaks are associated with poverty because they typically spread quickly in areas with poor sanitation, contaminated water and food and subpar healthcare infrastructure. However, AI can evaluate massive datasets and speculate disease outbreaks allowing for early intervention and better resource allocation. The advanced algorithms can diagnose diseases more accurately leading to more effective care.
In contrast, AI can be a double�"edged sword when it comes to obliterating poverty. While it's exorbitantly favorable to use AI systems while job training, it takes up a huge proportion of personnel itself. They replace low- skilled jobs and individuals that don’t have any other alternative to opt for are made redundant. An AI interface functions the way it is programmed by the engineer and if it is trained on biased data, the purpose of the AI interface becomes tainted as it also starts to function in a skewed manner. Furthermore, people have argued that the use of AI in monitoring data collections raises privacy concerns. They are vulnerable to data breaches, hacking and third-party access which could potentially lead to the leakage of personal intel. Besides, low- income individuals are not capable or equipped enough to protect their personal information.
When all is said and done, it is worth mentioning that advancement in technology will continue to transpire whether we abide by it, or not. AI is pioneering given the fact that it is harnessed in a conscientious way. As Marvin Minsky rightly said “Technology alone is not enough. Its technology married with the liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that makes our hearts sing.”

Author's Note

Dear Reviewers,

I'm excited to share my article on the impact of AI in eradicating poverty with you. This piece is the result of extensive research and a passion to explore the potential of AI to address one of the world's most pressing issues.

As you review my article, I'd appreciate feedback on the following areas:

- Clarity and concision: Are my arguments clear and easy to follow?
- Strength of evidence: Are my examples and data convincing?
- Tone and style: Is my tone engaging and accessible to a general audience?

I'm particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on the potential limitations and challenges of using AI to address poverty. Are there any areas where you think I've overlooked important considerations or failed to provide sufficient evidence?

My goal with this article is to spark a discussion and raise awareness about the potential of AI to make a positive impact on poverty. I'm open to feedback and suggestions on how to improve the article and make it more effective in achieving this goal.

Thank you for taking the time to review my article. I look forward to your feedback and insights.