Issue AI widens gaps between large and small firms and between rich and poor countries, including inside the EU

Summary

This issue describes AI deepening inequality not only among workers but between firms and between countries. Large companies have the resources, expertise and infrastructure to adopt AI at scale, while small and medium-sized enterprises may lack the capital to use it effectively. Paradoxically, very small firms and freelancers may gain capacity for bigger projects, creating new competitive dynamics. Globally, wealthier countries with strong digital infrastructure and research capacity are better placed to capture AI's benefits, while poorer nations may be little disrupted but lack the means to use AI for growth. Even inside the European Union, less affluent member states face similar disadvantages, so AI could widen existing gaps within and between countries.