HDR 2025 - An Overview

The challenge of integrating Al system into jobs would require redefinition of the nexus between people and machines, writes Ramesh Chandra Misra

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THE Human Development Report (HDR) 2025 which has recently been released by UNDP is titled, ‘A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’.

AI today is a subject that is engaging the minds of world leaders, captains of industry, educationists, and people who are looking at the future of work. The HDR 2025 emphasises the positive side of AI in improving the quality of life while admitting the risk that it will exacerbate the levels of inequality and erode personal freedom. We can take an utopian or dystopian view of this technology. But the report argues against taking a deterministic position. Finally, it is people who matter and human agency must not be undermined. The complementarity of people and machines should be maintained since the human capital of a nation 's true wealth.

The challenge of integrating AI system into jobs would require redefinition of the nexus between people and machines. AI will be disruptive for jobs and employment. It will therefore be required to build adaptive skills to minimise its negative impacts. For those whose jobs would be reshaped by AI supportive on-the-job training system should be in place. A robust social security system is also a prime requirement. The world is now facing a digital divide. In the high income countries the workforces have access to digital devices whereas in low income countries such an advantage is not available. In the absence of a level playing field application of technology can widen the already existing inequalities. The report warns that hasty worker replacement measures must be avoided. If a particular AI device has the potential of destroying jobs without in fact enhancing productivity it should not be adopted.