The Leaders and Laggards of Global AI Adoption
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Web3 technologies, and DeepTech have become significant drivers of innovation and economic growth worldwide. As countries strive to stay globally competitive, understanding the impact of these technologies on talent competitiveness is crucial. This article explores the adoption and impact of AI, Web3, and DeepTech across different countries and industries, providing insights into the global landscape and identifying leaders and laggards in these fields.
AI has the potential to contribute significantly to global economic activity. Research suggests that by 2030, AI could generate an additional $13 trillion in global GDP, equivalent to 1.2% annual GDP growth. The adoption and absorption of AI technologies are expected to vary among countries and companies, with some becoming frontrunners and others lagging behind. However, there are challenges to widespread adoption, including the need for developing capabilities and attracting talent.
Global Leaders in AI Adoption
The adoption of AI has the potential to widen gaps among countries, companies, and workers. Developed countries with a strong IT base and high wages are more likely to benefit from AI adoption, while developing countries might have alternative strategies to improve productivity. The impact on workers is also significant, with a shift in demand toward jobs that require high digital skills and cognitive abilities. However, the net impact on employment might be limited, and the need for reskilling and upskilling becomes crucial.
China emerges as a global leader in the DeepTech and AI industry, with ambitious goals to become a $150 billion AI global leader by 2030. The country is already a pioneer in AI research and a major driver of investment growth in deep technology. Other countries, such as India, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, are also investing heavily in AI adoption and innovation.
Recently, the Asia-Pacific region has also emerged as a hotbed for Web3 technologies, with countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia leading the way. The region’s digital financial services have flourished, bridging the gap in access to formal banking services. Additionally, the population’s high digital literacy and embrace of new technologies make it an ideal place for the next generation of the internet to thrive. While these countries have taken initiatives to support research, innovation, and talent development in AI, however, challenges such as market development, systematic investment, and the need for long-term vision still exist. Collaboration and partnerships between governments, private institutions, and educational institutions are crucial for fostering a thriving DeepTech and AI ecosystem in APAC.
The Impact of AI on Talent Competitiveness
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) provides insights into talent competitiveness and the impact of AI on countries’ economies. The top-ranked countries in the GTCI are high-income economies that perform well across various pillars such as market landscape, education, employability, and talent impact. Switzerland remains the overall leader, while countries like the United States, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg also perform strongly.
However, a longitudinal analysis of talent competitiveness also reveals a widening gap between talent champions and the rest. Median scores for regions like Asia/Oceania, Europe, and North America have increased over time, while countries in Central and South America and Africa have experienced a decline. Indonesia stands out as a lower-middle-income country that has made significant improvements in talent competitiveness, climbing 20 positions in the rankings.
As a subset of the GTCI, the Global City Talent Competitiveness Index (GCTCI) focuses on talent competitiveness in cities worldwide. The top-ranking cities tend to be urban hubs with activity in AI and emerging technologies. New York, London, Singapore, San Francisco, and Boston are among the top talent competitive cities, known for hosting fintech and medtech industries. Medium-sized cities also show improvements in their scores, capitalizing on the quality of life factors and the opportunities presented by new technologies.
Germany’s Missed Opportunity in AI and Digitalization
Germany, renowned for its engineering excellence and strong industrial sector, has surprisingly not been at the forefront of the AI revolution. A significant factor behind this is the country’s traditional focus on manufacturing and industrial automation, with less emphasis on digital and AI-driven innovation. This approach has led to a certain degree of complacency and a slower adaptation to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
- Investment in AI: Compared to the US and China, Germany’s investment in AI has been relatively modest. In 2019, Germany announced an AI strategy with a budget of €3 billion for 2019-2025, dwarfed by the US and China’s multi-billion dollar investments.
- Digital Infrastructure: According to the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020, Germany ranks 12th in the EU for digital competitiveness, indicating a need for improvement in digital infrastructure and public services.
- R&D Focus: While Germany excels in research and development, its focus has traditionally been on hardware rather than software, which is crucial for AI advancement.
One of the critical issues Germany faces in AI adoption is the skills gap. While the country has a robust educational system, there has been a lag in integrating AI and digital skills into mainstream education and vocational training. This gap hinders the development of a workforce equipped to handle AI-driven tasks.
German corporate culture, known for its risk-aversion and emphasis on privacy and data protection, can be a double-edged sword. While it ensures high-quality standards and trust, it also slows down the adoption of new technologies like AI, where agility and data-driven decision-making are key.
Finally, Germany’s economy is heavily driven by SMEs (Mittelstand), many of which have not yet fully embraced digital transformation. The hesitation to adopt new technologies among these smaller companies further slows down Germany’s overall progress in the AI and digital arena.
To catch up in the global AI race, Germany needs to:
- Enhance Public and Private Investment: Increase funding in AI and digital infrastructure, with a focus on both research and practical applications.
- Foster Education and Skills Development: Integrate AI and digital skills into education systems at all levels, including continuous learning and vocational training.
- Encourage a Culture of Innovation: Shift corporate culture towards embracing digital innovation, with a balanced approach to risk-taking and data protection.
- Support SMEs in Digital Transformation: Provide targeted support and incentives for SMEs to adopt AI and digital technologies.
Building a Positive Narrative for AI around the Globe
As AI reshapes the future of work, it is essential to create a positive narrative that emphasizes the possibilities and limitations of AI rather than instilling fear. Adaptive talent, which encompasses uniquely human skills like creativity, curiosity, leadership, empathy, and compassion, will play a crucial role in addressing complex problems and seizing opportunities. Ensuring access to opportunities, skills, and empowerment for the broader workforce, including older adults and women, is vital in embracing the new ways of working created by AI.
Overall, I believe that AI, Web3, and DeepTech have a huge potential to reshape industries, economies, and the future of work. However, the adoption and absorption of these technologies still vary among countries, companies, and workers, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Given the challenges for wider adoption explored in this article, it is crucial for countries to develop value-based and principle-led AI strategies that integrate, rather than replace, the human factor. By fostering a talent-driven approach and embracing the possibilities of AI, countries the currrent laggards can grow their economies and become more globally competitive in the long run.
