{
  "id": 6287684,
  "title": "AI investment divergence posing challenges for least developed nations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/ai-investment-divergence-posing-challenges-for-least-developed-nations-6287684",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-08T13:27:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2026/09/08/ai-investment-divergence-posing-challenges-for-least-developed-nations/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The rapid surge in investments in AI and advanced technologies is creating significant challenges for less developed nations. According to James X Zhan, executive chairman of the World Investment Conference, more than 40% of global investment is flowing into just a few sectors, such as AI and digital economy, while investments in traditional manufacturing are declining. Former chief adviser to the secretary general of UN Trade and Development, Mr Zhang, highlighted that the share of developing countries in investments within the advanced technology sector remains \"a fragment, a fraction\" of what is being invested in developed economies. In 2026, global investment in AI and advanced technologies is projected to exceed $1 trillion, with venture capital deal activity reaching over $430 billion in the first half of the year alone. However, this concentration of investment poses a major developmental divide, as noted by Unctad in May. Around 75% of investment flows to developing economies are concentrated in just 10 countries, leaving most developing nations, and nearly all of the least developed countries, struggling to attract capital. The UAE, while aiming to build its economy on future pillars of manufacturing, AI, and advanced technologies, strongly supports efforts to avoid \"digital colonisation\". The Arab world's second-largest economy, the UAE, is investing heavily both nationally and globally to democratise AI and advance technology for countries with fewer resources. Dr Ahmed Rostom, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly in the uncertain global economic conditions and the fluid interest rate environment. Egypt is pushing for two-thirds of its investments to come from the private sector and is looking for quality foreign direct investment, providing incentives to attract it.",
  "summary": "While investments in AI and future tech remain a top priority for most nations, concentration of funding in the sector is creating challenges for poorly resourced countries. With the digital divide widening rapidly, investors need to move in unison in channelling their investment flows better, ministers and policymakers told the AIM Congress in Dubai on Tuesday. This applies in terms of sectors…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}